RNAi agents for Hepatitis B virus infection

ABSTRACT

Described are compositions and methods for inhibition of Hepatitis B virus gene expression. RNA interference (RNAi) agents for inhibiting the expression of Hepatitis B virus gene are described. The HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein may be targeted to cells, such as hepatocytes, for example, by using conjugated targeting ligands. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more HBV RNAi agents optionally with one or more additional therapeutics are also described. Delivery of the described HBV RNAi agents to infected liver in vivo provides for inhibition of HBV gene expression and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with HBV infection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/045446, filed onAug. 4, 2017, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/540,639, filed on Aug. 3, 2017, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/534,733, filed on Jul. 20, 2017, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/370,754, filed on Aug. 4,2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

SUBMISSION OF SEQUENCE LISTING ON ASCII TEXT FILE

The content of the following submission on ASCII text file isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety: a computer readableform (CRF) of the Sequence Listing (file name: 165002000400seqlist.txt,date recorded: Apr. 24, 2019, size: 78 KB).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are RNA interference (RNAi) agents for inhibition ofHepatitis B Virus gene expression, compositions that include HBV RNAiagents, and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a strict hepatotrophic, double-strandedDNA containing virus. Although DNA is the genetic material, thereplication cycle involves a reverse transcription step to copy apregenomic RNA into DNA. Hepatitis B Virus is classified as one memberof the Hepadnaviruses and belongs to the family of Hepadnaviridae. Theprimary infection of adult humans with Hepatitis B Virus causes an acutehepatitis with symptoms of organ inflammation, fever, jaundice andincreased liver transaminases in blood. Those patients that are not ableto overcome the virus infection suffer a chronic disease progressionover many years with increased risk of developing cirrhotic liver orliver cancer. Perinatal transmission from Hepatitis B Virus-infectedmothers to newborns also leads to chronic hepatitis.

Upon uptake by hepatocytes, the nucleocapsid is transferred to thenucleus and DNA is released. There, the DNA strand synthesis iscompleted and gaps repaired to give the covalently closed circular (ccc)supercoiled DNA of 3.2 kb. The cccDNA serves as a template fortranscription of five major viral mRNAs, which are 3.5, 3.5, 2.4, 2.1and 0.7 kb long. All mRNAs are 5′-capped and polyadenylated at the3′-end. There is sequence overlap at the 3′-end between all five mRNAs.

One 3.5 kb mRNA serves as template for core protein and polymeraseproduction. In addition, the same transcript serves as a pre-genomicreplication intermediate and allows the viral polymerase to initiate thereverse transcription into DNA. Core protein is needed for nucleocapsidformation. The other 3.5 kb mRNA encodes pre-core, the secretablee-antigen (HBeAg). In the absence of replication inhibitors, theabundance of e-antigen in blood correlates with Hepatitis B Virusreplication in liver and serves as an important diagnostic marker formonitoring the disease progression.

The 2.4 and 2.1 kb mRNAs carry the open reading frames (“ORF”) pre-S1,pre-S2 and S for expression of viral large, medium and small surfaceantigen. The s-antigen is associated with infectious, completeparticles. In addition, blood of infected patients also containnon-infectious particles derived from s-antigen alone, free of genomicDNA or polymerase. The function of these particles is not fullyunderstood. The complete and lasting depletion of detectable s-antigenin blood is considered as a reliable indicator for Hepatitis B Virusclearance.

The 0.7 kb mRNA encodes the X protein. This gene product is importantfor efficient transcription of viral genes and also acts as atransactivator on host gene expression. The latter activity seems to beimportant for hepatocyte transformation during development of livercancer.

Patients with detectable s-antigen, e-antigen, and/or viral DNA in theblood for more than 6 months are considered chronically infected.Nucleoside analogs as inhibitors of reverse transcriptase activity aretypically the first treatment option for many patients. Administrationof lamivudine, tenofovir, and/or entecavir has been shown to suppressHepatitis B Virus replication, sometimes to undetectable levels, withimprovement of liver function and reduction of liver inflammationtypically seen as the most important benefits. However, only fewpatients achieve complete and lasting remission after the end oftreatment. Furthermore, the Hepatitis B Virus develops drug resistancewith increasing duration of treatment. This is especially difficult forpatients co-infected with Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV). Both viruses are susceptible to nucleoside analogue drugs and mayco-develop resistance.

A second treatment option is the administration of interferon-alpha.Here, patients receive high doses of interferon-alpha over a period of 6months. The Asian genotype B gives very poor response rates.Co-infection with Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) or Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus has been shown to render interferon-alpha therapy completelyineffective. Patients with strong liver damage and heavy fibroticconditions are not qualified for interferon-alpha therapy.

Certain Hepatitis B Virus-specific RNA interference (RNAi) agents havebeen previously shown to inhibit expression of HBV gene expression. Forexample, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 201310005793, to Chinet al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,discloses certain double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules forinhibiting the expression of Hepatitis B Virus gene.

SUMMARY

There exists a need for novel Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-specific RNAinterference (RNAi) agents (also herein termed RNAi agent, RNAi trigger,or trigger) that are able to selectively and efficiently inhibit theexpression of an Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) gene. Further, there exists aneed for combinations of novel HBV-specific RNAi agents for thetreatment of HBV infection and prevention of diseases associated withHBV.

Described herein are HBV gene-specific RNAi agents able to selectivelyand efficiently decrease expression of an HBV gene. The described HBVRNAi agents can be used in methods for therapeutic treatment and/orprevention of symptoms and diseases associated with HBV infection,including but not limited to chronic liver diseases/disorders,inflammations, fibrotic conditions, proliferative disorders (includingcancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma), Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)infection, and acute HBV infection. In some embodiments, the HBV RNAiagents can be used in methods for therapeutic treatment and/orprevention of symptoms and diseases associated with chronic HBVinfection and/or HDV infection. Such methods comprise administration ofone or more HBV RNAi agents as described herein to a subject, e.g., ahuman or animal subject.

Additionally, described herein are compositions comprising one or moreof the disclosed HBV RNAi agents that are able to selectively andefficiently decrease expression of an HBV gene. The compositionscomprising one or more HBV RNAi agents can be administered to a subject,such as a human or animal subject, for the treatment and/or preventionof symptoms and diseases associated with HBV infection.

Each HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein includes at least a sense strandand an antisense strand. The sense strand and the antisense strand canbe partially, substantially, or fully complementary to each other. Thelength of the RNAi agent sense and antisense strands described hereineach can be 16 to 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, thesense and antisense strands are independently 17 to 26 nucleotides inlength. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands areindependently 19 to 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, thesense and antisense strands are independently 21 to 26 nucleotides inlength. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands areindependently 21 to 24 nucleotides in length. The sense and antisensestrands can be either the same length or different lengths. The HBV RNAiagents disclosed herein have been designed to include antisense strandsequences that are at least partially complementary to a sequence in theHBV genome that is conserved across the majority of known serotypes ofHBV. The RNAi agents described herein, upon delivery to a cellexpressing HBV, inhibit the expression of one or more HBV genes in vivoor in vitro.

An HBV RNAi agent includes a sense strand (also referred to as apassenger strand) that includes a first sequence, and an antisensestrand (also referred to as a guide strand) that includes a secondsequence. A sense strand of the HBV RNAi agents described hereinincludes a core stretch having at least about 85% identity to anucleotide sequence of at least 16 consecutive nucleotides in an HBVmRNA. In some embodiments, the sense strand core nucleotide stretchhaving at least about 85% identity to a sequence in an HBV mRNA is 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 nucleotides in length. An antisense strandof an HBV RNAi agent comprises a nucleotide sequence having at leastabout 85% complementary over a core stretch of at least 16 consecutivenucleotides to a sequence in an HBV mRNA and the corresponding sensestrand. In some embodiments, the antisense strand core nucleotidesequence having at least about 85% complementarity to a sequence in anHBV mRNA or the corresponding sense strand is 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, or 23 nucleotides in length.

Examples of HBV RNAi agent sense strands and antisense strands that canbe used in HBV RNAi agents are provided in Tables 3 and 4. Examples ofHBV RNAi agent duplexes are provided in Table 5. Examples of19-nucleotide core stretch sequences that consist of or are included inthe sense strands and antisense strands of HBV RNAi agents disclosedherein, are provided in Table 2.

In some embodiments, one or more HBV RNAi agents are delivered to targetcells or tissues using any oligonucleotide delivery technology known inthe art. Nucleic acid delivery methods include, but are not limited to,by encapsulation in liposomes, by iontophoresis, or by incorporationinto other vehicles, such as hydrogels, cyclodextrins, biodegradablenanocapsules, and bioadhesive microspheres, proteinaceous vectors orDynamic Polyconjugates (DPCs) (see, for example WO 2000/053722, WO2008/0022309, WO 2011/104169, and WO 2012/083185, each of which isincorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, an HBV RNAiagent is delivered to target cells or tissues by covalently linking theRNAi agent to a targeting group. In some embodiments, the targetinggroup can include a cell receptor ligand, such as an asialoglycoproteinreceptor (ASGPr) ligand. In some embodiments, an ASGPr ligand includesor consists of a galactose derivative cluster. In some embodiments, agalactose derivative cluster includes an N-acetyl-galactosamine trimeror an N-acetyl-galactosamine tetramer. In some embodiments, a galactosederivative cluster is an N-acetyl-galactosamine trimer or anN-acetyl-galactosamine tetramer.

A targeting group can be linked to the 3′ or 5′ end of a sense strand oran antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agent. In some embodiments, atargeting group is linked to the 3′ or 5′ end of the sense strand. Insome embodiments, a targeting group is linked to the 5′ end of the sensestrand. In some embodiments, a targeting group is linked to the RNAiagent via a linker.

A targeting group, with or without a linker, can be linked to the 5′ or3′ end of any of the sense and/or antisense strands disclosed in Tables2, 3, and 4. A linker, with or without a targeting group, can beattached to the 5′ or 3′ end of any of the sense and/or antisensestrands disclosed in Tables 2, 3, and 4.

In some embodiments, described herein are compositions that include oneor more HBV RNAi agents having the duplex sequences disclosed in Table5.

In some embodiments, described herein are compositions that include acombination or cocktail of at least two HBV RNAi agents having differentnucleotide sequences. In some embodiments, the two or more different HBVRNAi agents are each separately and independently linked to targetinggroups. In some embodiments, the two or more different HBV RNAi agentsare each linked to targeting groups comprised ofN-acetyl-galactosamines. In some embodiments, when two or more RNAiagents are included in a composition, each of the RNAi agents is linkedto the same targeting group. In some embodiments, when two or more RNAiagents are included in a composition, each of the RNAi agents is linkedto different targeting groups, such as targeting groups having differentchemical structures.

In some embodiments, targeting groups are linked to the HBV RNAi agentswithout the use of an additional linker. In some embodiments, thetargeting group is designed having a linker readily present tofacilitate the linkage to an HBV RNAi agent. In some embodiments, whentwo or more RNAi agents are included in a composition, the two or moreRNAi agents may be linked to the targeting groups using the samelinkers. In some embodiments, when two or more RNAi agents are includedin a composition, the two or more RNAi agents are linked to thetargeting groups using different linkers.

In some embodiments, described herein are compositions that include acombination of at least two HBV RNAi agents having different sequences,wherein each HBV RNAi agent targets a different location or differentregion of an HBV gene. In some embodiments, described herein arecompositions that include a combination of at least two HBV RNAi agents,wherein each HBV RNAi agent is designed to target a different HBVtranscript (for example, a composition that includes two HBV RNAiagents, wherein the first HBV RNAi agent includes an antisense strandthat is at least partially complementary to a nucleotide sequencelocated in the S ORF of an HBV gene, while the second HBV RNAi agentincludes an antisense strand that is at least partially complementary toa nucleotide sequence located in the X ORF of an HBV gene). As usedherein, an RNAi agent that includes an antisense strand at leastpartially complementary to a nucleotide sequence located in the S ORFtargets a portion of the HBV genome of SEQ ID NO:1 between positions1-1307 and 3185-3221. As used herein, an RNAi agent that includes anantisense strand at least partially complementary to a nucleotidesequence located in the X ORF targets a portion of the HBV genome of SEQID NO:1 between positions 1308-1930.

HBV mRNA is known to be polycistronic, resulting in the translation ofmultiple polypeptides, and separate mRNAs overlap in RNA sequence,therefore a single RNAi agent targeting an HBV gene may result ininhibition of most or all HBV transcripts. However, while not wishing tobe bound to any theory, it is hypothesized that a composition thatincludes two or more HBV RNAi agents targeting different locations orregions of an HBV gene (and, in particular, two or more HBV RNAi agentswherein one HBV RNAi agent targets the S ORF and a second HBV RNAi agenttargets the X ORF) may provide for additional advantages over acomposition that includes only a single HBV RNAi agent, such as (a)ensuring that all HBV viral transcripts are targeted (i.e., 3.5 kbpre-genomic RNA; 3.5 kb pre-core mRNA; 2.4 kb pre-SI mRNA; 2.1 kbpre-S2/S mRNA; 0.7 kb X mRNA; as well as any S-antigen expressing mRNAsproduced from integrated HBV DNA); (b) serving to expand the genotypecoverage to potentially address a larger patient population; and/or (c)potentially decreasing the viral resistance due to mutations in thesiRNA binding site.

In some embodiments, described herein are compositions that include acombination of one HBV RNAi agent that targets the S ORF of an HBV RNA(i.e., having an antisense strand that targets the S transcripts (S,pre-S1, and pre-S2), the pregenomic RNA (core and polymerase), and thepre-core transcripts (HBeAg) of an HBV genome), and one HBV RNAi agentthat targets the X ORF of an HBV RNA (i.e., having an antisense strandthat targets the X transcript of an HBV genome, the S transcripts (S,pre-S1, and pre-S2), the pregenomic RNA (core and polymerase), and thepre-core transcripts (HBeAg) of an HBV genome). In some embodiments, thecompositions described herein include at least one HBV RNAi agent thatcontains a sequence that targets the S ORF of an HBV gene, and a secondHBV RNAi agent that contains a sequence that targets the X ORF of an HBVgene.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents havingan antisense strand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences inTable 3.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having asense strand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 4.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents havingan antisense strand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences inTable 3, and a sense strand comprising the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 4 that is at least partially complementary to theantisense strand.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents havingan antisense strand that consists of the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 3, and a sense strand that consists of the sequenceof any of the sequences in Table 4 that is at least partiallycomplementary to the antisense strand.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene ina cell, the method comprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agentshaving the duplex structure of Table 5.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having an antisensestrand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 3.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having a sensestrand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 4.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having an antisensestrand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 3, and asense strand comprising the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 4that is at least partially complementary to the antisense strand.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having an antisensestrand that consists of the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 3,and a sense strand that consists of the sequence of any of the sequencesin Table 4 that is at least partially complementary to the antisensestrand.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering one or more HBV RNAi agents having the duplexstructure of Table 5.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering (i) an HBV RNAi agent having anantisense strand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 2 or Table 3, and (ii) a second HBV RNAi agent havingan antisense strand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any ofthe sequences in Table 2 or Table 3.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering (i) an HBV RNAi agent having an antisensestrand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of the sequencesin Table 2 or Table 3, and (ii) a second HBV RNAi agent having anantisense strand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 2 or Table 3.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting expression of an HBV gene,the method comprising administering (i) a first HBV RNAi agent having anantisense strand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 2 or Table 3 and a sense strand comprising orconsisting of the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 2 or Table 4that is at least partially complementary to the antisense strand of thefirst HBV RNAi agent, and (ii) a second HBV RNAi agent having anantisense strand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of thesequences in Table 2 or Table 3 and a sense strand comprising orconsisting of the sequence of any of the sequences in Table 2 or Table 4that is at least partially complementary to the antisense strand of thesecond HBV RNAi agent.

Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBV infection orprevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBV infection, the methodcomprising administering (i) a first HBV RNAi agent having an antisensestrand comprising or consisting of the sequence of any of the sequencesin Table 2 or Table 3 and a sense strand comprising or consisting of thesequence of any of the sequences in Table 2 or Table 4 that is at leastpartially complementary to the antisense strand of the first HBV RNAiagent, and (ii) a second HBV RNAi agent having an antisense strandcomprising or consisting of the sequence of any of the sequences inTable 2 or Table 3 and a sense strand comprising or consisting of thesequence of any of the sequences in Table 2 or Table 4 that is at leastpartially complementary to the antisense strand of the second HBV RNAiagent.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   a. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAC (SEQ ID NO: 7), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU (SEQ        ID NO: 34); or    -   b. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAC (SEQ ID NO: 8), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAA (SEQ        ID NO: 35); or    -   c. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 12), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ        ID NO: 39); or    -   d. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 13), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA (SEQ        ID NO: 40); or    -   e. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 17), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ        ID NO: 44); or    -   f. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 18), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ        ID NO: 45); or    -   g. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGC (SEQ ID NO: 22), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ        ID NO: 49); or    -   h. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGC (SEQ ID NO: 23), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ        ID NO: 50); or    -   i. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 27), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC (SEQ        ID NO: 54); or    -   j. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 28), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ        ID NO: 55); or    -   k. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 29), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ        ID NO: 56).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising an HBVRNAi agent.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two ormore HBV RNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises:

-   -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 12), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ        ID NO: 39); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 13), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA (SEQ        ID NO: 40);        and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises:    -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 27), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC (SEQ        ID NO: 54); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 28), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ        ID NO: 55); or    -   iii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 29), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ        ID NO: 56).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two ormore HBV RNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises:

-   -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 17), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ        ID NO: 44); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 18), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ ID        NO: 45);        and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises:    -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 27), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC (SEQ        ID NO: 54); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 28), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ        ID NO: 55); or    -   iii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 29), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ        ID NO: 56).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two ormore HBV RNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises:

-   -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 12), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ        ID NO: 39); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA (SEQ ID NO: 13), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA (SEQ        ID NO: 40);        and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense        strand having a sequence that is at least partially        complementary to a portion of the X ORF of an HBV mRNA.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two ormore HBV RNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises:

-   -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 17), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ        ID NO: 44); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC (SEQ ID NO: 18), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ        ID NO: 45);        and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense        strand having a sequence that is at least partially        complementary to a portion of the X ORF of an HBV mRNA:

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two ormore HBV RNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises anantisense strand having a sequence that is at least partiallycomplementary to a portion of the S ORF of an HBV mRNA, and wherein asecond HBV RNAi agent comprises:

-   -   i) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 27), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC (SEQ        ID NO: 54); or    -   ii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 28), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ        ID NO: 55); or    -   iii) an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG (SEQ ID NO: 29), and a sense strand that        comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3        nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ        ID NO: 56).

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   a. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCUUAU (SEQ ID NO: 149); or    -   b. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 150); or    -   c. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGC (SEQ ID NO: 151); or    -   d. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 152); or    -   e. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154); or    -   f. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG (SEQ ID NO: 160); or    -   g. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162); or    -   h. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 163); or    -   i. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA (SEQ ID NO: 170); or    -   j. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171); or    -   k. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 172); or    -   l. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 173); or    -   m. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAUU (SEQ ID NO: 174); or    -   n. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 175); or    -   o. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 178); or    -   p. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 179); or    -   q. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACC (SEQ ID NO: 180); or    -   r. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 181); or    -   s. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 182); or    -   t. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 183); or    -   u. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC (SEQ ID NO: 184); or    -   v. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 185); or    -   w. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 186); or    -   x. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCU (SEQ ID NO: 187); or    -   y. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG (SEQ ID NO: 188); or    -   z. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 189); or    -   aa. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 190); or    -   bb. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 191); or    -   cc. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 192); or    -   dd. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 193); or    -   ee. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 194);        and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further comprises a sense strand        at least partially complementary to the respective antisense        strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   a. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCUUAU (SEQ ID NO: 149); or    -   b. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 150); or    -   c. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGC (SEQ ID NO: 151); or    -   d. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 152); or    -   e. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154); or    -   f. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG (SEQ ID NO: 160); or    -   g. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162); or    -   h. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 163); or    -   i. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA (SEQ ID NO: 170); or    -   j. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171); or    -   k. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 172); or    -   l. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 173); or    -   m. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAUU (SEQ ID NO: 174); or    -   n. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 175); or    -   o. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 178); or    -   p. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 179); or    -   q. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACC (SEQ ID NO: 180); or    -   r. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 181); or    -   s. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 182); or    -   t. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 183); or    -   u. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC (SEQ ID NO: 184); or    -   v. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU (SEQ ID NO: 185); or    -   w. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU (SEQ ID NO: 186); or    -   x. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCU (SEQ ID NO: 187); or    -   y. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG (SEQ ID NO: 188); or    -   z. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 189); or    -   aa. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 190); or    -   bb. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU (SEQ ID NO: 191); or    -   cc. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 192); or    -   dd. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG (SEQ ID NO: 193); or.    -   ee. an antisense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGG (SEQ ID NO: 194);        and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further comprises a sense strand        at least partially complementary to the respective antisense        strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   i. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsusuAu (SEQ ID NO: 61); or    -   ii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfcscsu (SEQ ID NO: 62); or    -   iii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsu (SEQ ID NO: 63); or    -   iv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfsc (SEQ ID NO: 64); or    -   v. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 68); or    -   vi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscscaauUfuAfuGfcCfuacagcsc (SEQ ID NO: 85); or    -   vii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusugagAfgAfaGfuCfcaccacsg (SEQ ID NO: 94); or    -   viii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfgsa (SEQ ID NO: 98); or    -   ix. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 102); or    -   x. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcusu (SEQ ID NO: 103); or    -   xi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccsu (SEQ ID NO: 104); or    -   xii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccusu (SEQ ID NO: 105); or    -   xiii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 107); or    -   xiv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg (SEQ ID NO: 108); or    -   xv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfausu (SEQ ID NO: 109); or    -   xvi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsg (SEQ ID NO: 110); or    -   xvii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsusu (SEQ ID NO: 111); or    -   xviii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsgsa (SEQ ID NO: 112); or    -   xix. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacusu (SEQ ID NO: 120); or    -   xx. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 125);    -   xxi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc (SEQ ID NO: 126); or    -   xxii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacusu (SEQ ID NO: 127); or    -   xxiii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacsc (SEQ ID NO: 128); or    -   xxiv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 129); or    -   xxv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc (SEQ ID NO: 130); or    -   xxvi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 131); or    -   xxvii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu (SEQ ID NO: 132); or    -   xxviii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusc (SEQ ID NO: 133); or    -   xxix. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 134); or    -   xxx. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu (SEQ ID NO: 135); or    -   xxxi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 136); or    -   xxxii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc (SEQ ID NO: 137); or    -   xxxiii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc (SEQ ID NO: 138); or    -   xxxiv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsu (SEQ ID NO: 139); or    -   xxxv. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsg (SEQ ID NO: 140); or    -   xxxvi. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 141); or    -   xxxvii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfUJfAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 142); or    -   xxxviii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgCfsc (SEQ ID NO: 143); or    -   xxxix. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu (SEQ ID NO: 144); or    -   xl. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing by        0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu (SEQ ID NO: 145); or    -   xli. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg (SEQ ID NO: 146); or    -   xlii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg (SEQ ID NO: 147); or    -   xliii. an antisense strand that comprises the sequence differing        by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides from the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfggsg (SEQ ID NO: 148);        wherein a, g, c and u are 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) modified        nucleotides; Af, Cf, Gf, and Uf are 2′-fluoro modified        nucleotides; s is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage and        the remaining nucleotide monomers are linked by phosphodiester        bonds; and cPrpu is 5′-cyclopropyl phosphonate-2′-O-methyl        modified nucleotide; and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further        comprises a sense strand at least partially complementary to the        respective antisense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   i. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsusuAu (SEQ ID NO: 61); or    -   ii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfcscsu (SEQ ID NO: 62); or    -   iii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsu (SEQ ID NO: 63); or    -   iv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfsc (SEQ ID NO: 64); or    -   v. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 68); or    -   vi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscscaauUfuAfuGfcCfuacagcsc (SEQ ID NO: 85); or    -   vii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusugagAfgAfaGfuCfcaccacsg (SEQ ID NO: 94); or    -   viii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfgsa (SEQ ID NO: 98); or    -   ix. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 102); or    -   x. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcusu (SEQ ID NO: 103); or    -   xi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccsu (SEQ ID NO: 104); or    -   xii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccusu (SEQ ID NO: 105); or    -   xiii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 107); or    -   xiv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg (SEQ ID NO: 108); or    -   xv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfausu (SEQ ID NO: 109); or    -   xvi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsg (SEQ ID NO: 110); or    -   xvii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsusu (SEQ ID NO: 111); or    -   xviii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsgsa (SEQ ID NO: 112); or    -   xix. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacusu (SEQ ID NO: 120); or    -   xx. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 125);    -   xxi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc (SEQ ID NO: 126); or    -   xxii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacusu (SEQ ID NO: 127); or    -   xxiii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacsc (SEQ ID NO: 128); or    -   xxiv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 129); or    -   xxv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc (SEQ ID NO: 130); or    -   xxvi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 131); or    -   xxvii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu (SEQ ID NO: 132); or    -   xxviii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence        (5′→3′) asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusc (SEQ ID NO: 133); or    -   xxix. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu (SEQ ID NO: 134); or    -   xxx. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu (SEQ ID NO: 135); or    -   xxxi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 136); or    -   xxxii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc (SEQ ID NO: 137); or    -   xxxiii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence        (5′→3′) cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc (SEQ ID NO:        138); or    -   xxxiv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsu (SEQ ID NO: 139); or    -   xxxv. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsg (SEQ ID NO: 140); or    -   xxxvi. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc (SEQ ID NO: 141); or    -   xxxvii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence        (5′→3′) usAfscsCfaAfuUfUJfAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu (SEQ ID NO: 142);        or    -   xxxviii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence        (5′→3′) usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgCfsc (SEQ ID NO: 143); or    -   xxxix. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu (SEQ ID NO: 144); or    -   xl. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu (SEQ ID NO: 145); or    -   xli. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        asCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg (SEQ ID NO: 146); or    -   xlii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg (SEQ ID NO: 147); or    -   xliii. an antisense strand that consists of the sequence (5′→3′)        usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfggsg (SEQ ID NO: 148);        wherein a, g, c and u are 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) modified        nucleotides; Af, Cf, Gf, and Uf are 2′-fluoro modified        nucleotides; s is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage and        the remaining nucleotide monomers are linked by phosphodiester        bonds; and cPrpu is 5′-cyclopropyl phosphonate-2′-O-methyl        modified nucleotide; and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further        comprises a sense strand at least partially complementary to the        respective antisense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   a. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUT (SEQ ID NO: 275); or    -   b. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UAUAUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 276); or    -   c. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 278); or    -   d. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ ID NO: 285); or    -   e. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA (SEQ ID NO: 289); or    -   f. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 292); or    -   g. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 294); or    -   h. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ ID NO: 300); or    -   i. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); or    -   j. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 303); or    -   k. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 304); or    -   l. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 306); or    -   m. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307); or    -   n. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AAUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 308); or    -   o. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 318); or    -   p. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 319); or    -   q. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ ID NO: 320); or    -   r. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ ID NO: 321); or    -   s. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 322); or    -   t. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 323); or    -   u. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 324); or    -   v. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 325); or    -   w. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 326); or    -   x. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 327); or    -   y. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 328); or    -   z. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ ID NO: 329); or    -   aa. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 330); or    -   bb. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 331); or    -   cc. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 332); or    -   dd. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 333); or    -   ee. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)        CCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 334);        and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further comprises an antisense        strand at least partially complementary to the respective        antisense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein comprises:

-   -   a. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) UUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUT (SEQ ID NO: 275); or    -   b. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) UAUAUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 276); or    -   c. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 278); or    -   d. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ ID NO: 285); or    -   e. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA (SEQ ID NO: 289); or    -   f. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 292); or    -   g. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 294); or    -   h. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU (SEQ ID NO: 300); or    -   i. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); or    -   j. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 303); or    -   k. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 304); or    -   l. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 306); or    -   m. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307); or    -   n. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) AAUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 308); or    -   o. a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)        GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 318); or    -   p. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 319); or    -   q. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ ID NO: 320); or    -   r. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA (SEQ ID NO: 321); or    -   s. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 322); or    -   t. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 323); or    -   u. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 324); or    -   v. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 325); or    -   w. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 326); or    -   x. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) AGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 327); or    -   y. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 328); or    -   z. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU (SEQ ID NO: 329); or    -   aa. an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 330); or    -   bb. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 331); or    -   cc. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU (SEQ ID NO: 332); or    -   dd. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA (SEQ ID NO: 333); or    -   ee. a sense strand that consists of the nucleobase sequence        (5′→3′) CCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 334);        and wherein the HBV RNAi agent further comprises an antisense        strand at least partially complementary to the respective        antisense strand.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO:175), and a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307); and wherein a second HBV RNAiagent comprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobasesequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 292).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 175), and a sense strand thatconsists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQID NO: 307); and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154), and a sense strand that consistsof the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 292).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO:171), and a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); and wherein a second HBV RNAiagent comprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobasesequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG (SEQ ID NO: 188), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 328).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand that consistsof the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO:302); and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandthat consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG(SEQ ID NO: 188), and a sense strand that consists of the nucleobasesequence (5′→3′) CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 328).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO:171), and a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); and wherein a second HBV RNAiagent comprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobasesequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 294).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand that consistsof the nucleobase sequence (5′→3) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO:302); and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandthat consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC(SEQ ID NO: 162), and a sense strand that consists of the nucleobasesequence (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ ID NO: 294).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO:171), and a sense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); and wherein a second HBV RNAiagent comprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobasesequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein a first HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisensestrand that consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand that consistsof the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO:302); and wherein a second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandthat consists of the nucleobase sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC(SEQ ID NO: 162), and a sense strand that consists of the nucleobasesequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 175), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 292).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG (SEQ ID NO: 188), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 328).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′9-3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 294).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQID NO: 307).

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU (SEQ ID NO: 175), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQ ID NO: 307); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU (SEQ ID NO: 154), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 292), and wherein the sense strand of the first HBV RNAi agent andthe second HBV RNAi agent are conjugated to a targeting ligandcomprising N-acetyl-galactosamine.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG (SEQ ID NO: 188), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 328), and wherein the sense strand of the first HBV RNAi agent andthe second HBV RNAi agent are conjugated to a targeting ligandcomprising N-acetyl-galactosamine.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA (SEQ IDNO: 294), and wherein the sense strand of the first HBV RNAi agent andthe second HBV RNAi agent are conjugated to a targeting ligandcomprising N-acetyl-galactosamine.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for inhibitingexpression of an HBV gene in a cell, the composition comprising two HBVRNAi agents, wherein all or substantially all of the nucleotides in thesense strand are modified and/or all or substantially all of thenucleotides in the antisense strand in the first and/or second HBV RNAiagent are modified nucleotides, and wherein the first HBV RNAi agentcomprises an antisense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequencediffering by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′)AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 171), and a sense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU (SEQ ID NO: 302); andwherein the second HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand thatcomprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2 or 3 nucleobasesfrom the sequence (5′→3′) UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 162), and asense strand that comprises the nucleobase sequence differing by 0, 1, 2or 3 nucleobases from the sequence (5′→3′) GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU (SEQID NO: 307), and wherein the sense strand of the first HBV RNAi agentand the second HBV RNAi agent are conjugated to a targeting ligandcomprising N-acetyl-galactosamine.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBVinfection or prevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBVinfection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of AD04872 and an effective amount of AD05070. In someembodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD05070 administered to a subjectin need thereof is about 2:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872to AD05070 administered to a subject in need thereof is about 3:1. Insome embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD05070 administered to asubject in need thereof is about 1:1. In some embodiments, the ratio ofAD04872 to AD05070 administered to a subject in need thereof is about4:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD05070 administeredto a subject in need thereof is about 5:1. In some embodiments, theratio of AD04872 to AD05070 administered to a subject in need thereof isabout 1:2.

In some embodiments, about 1 mg/kg (mpk) of AD04872 and about 1 mg/kg ofAD05070 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.5 mg/kg of AD05070are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,about 2.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD05070 areadministered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about3.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD05070 are administered toa subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about 3.2 mg/kg ofAD04872 and about 0.8 mg/kg of AD05070 are administered to a subject inneed thereof. In some embodiments, about 2.7 mg/kg of AD04872 and about1.3 mg/kg of AD05070 are administered to a subject in need thereof. Insome embodiments, about 4.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg ofAD05070 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 3.3 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.7 mg/kg of AD05070are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,between about 0.05 and about 5 mg/kg of AD04872 and between about 0.05and about 5 mg/kg of AD05070 are administered to a subject in needthereof. In some embodiments, about AD04872 and about AD05070 areadministered separately (e.g., in separate injections). In someembodiments, the respective dose of AD04872 and the respective dose ofAD05070 are administered together (e.g., in the same injection). In someembodiments, the respective dose of AD04872 and the respective dose ofAD05070 are prepared in a single pharmaceutical composition.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBVinfection or prevention of diseases or symptoms caused by an HBVinfection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of AD04872 and an effective amount of AD04776. In someembodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04776 administered to a subjectin need thereof is about 2:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872to AD04776 administered to a subject in need thereof is about 3:1. Insome embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04776 administered to asubject in need thereof is about 4:1. In some embodiments, the ratio ofAD04872 to AD04776 administered to a subject in need thereof is about1:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04776 administeredto a subject in need thereof is 5:1. In some embodiments, the ratio ofAD04872 to AD04776 administered to a subject in need thereof is 1:2.

In some embodiments, about 1 mg/kg (mpk) of AD04872 and about 1 mg/kg ofAD04776 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04776are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,about 2.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD04776 areadministered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about3.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD04776 are administered toa subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about 3.2 mg/kg ofAD04872 and about 0.8 mg/kg of AD04776 are administered to a subject inneed thereof. In some embodiments, about 2.7 mg/kg of AD04872 and about1.3 mg/kg of AD04776 are administered to a subject in need thereof. Insome embodiments, about 4.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg ofAD04776 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 3.3 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.7 mg/kg of AD04776are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,between about 0.05 and about 5 mg/kg of AD04872 and between about 0.05and about 5 mg/kg of AD04776 are administered to a subject in needthereof. In some embodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 andAD04776 are administered separately (e.g., in separate injections). Insome embodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 and AD04776 areadministered together (e.g., in the same injection). In someembodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 and AD04776 are prepared ina single pharmaceutical composition.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBVinfection or prevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBVinfection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of AD04872 and an effective amount of AD04982.

In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04982 administered to asubject in need thereof is about 2:1. In some embodiments, the ratio ofAD04872 to AD04982 administered to a subject in need thereof is about3:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04982 administeredto a subject in need thereof is about 4:1. In some embodiments, theratio of AD04872 to AD04982 administered to a subject in need thereof isabout 1:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04982administered to a subject in need thereof is about 5:1. In someembodiments, the ratio of AD04872 to AD04982 administered to a subjectin need thereof is 1:2.

In some embodiments, about 1 mg/kg (mpk) of AD04872 and about 1 mg/kg ofAD04982 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04982are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,about 2.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD04982 areadministered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about3.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg of AD04982 are administered toa subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, about 3.2 mg/kg ofAD04872 and about 0.8 mg/kg of AD04982 are administered to a subject inneed thereof. In some embodiments, about 2.7 mg/kg of AD04872 and about1.3 mg/kg of AD04982 are administered to a subject in need thereof. Insome embodiments, about 4.0 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.0 mg/kg ofAD04982 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, about 3.3 mg/kg of AD04872 and about 1.7 mg/kg of AD04982are administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments,between about 0.05 and about 5 mg/kg of AD04872 and between about 0.05and about 5 mg/kg of AD04982 are administered to a subject in needthereof. In some embodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 andAD04982 are administered separately (e.g., in separate injections). Insome embodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 and AD04982 areadministered together (e.g., in the same injection). In someembodiments, the respective doses of AD04872 and AD04982 are prepared ina single pharmaceutical composition.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are methods of treatment of an HBVinfection or prevention of disease or symptoms caused by an HBVinfection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of AD04580 and an effective amount of AD04585. In someembodiments, the ratio of AD04580 to AD04585 administered to a subjectin need thereof is about 2:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04580to AD04585 administered to a subject in need thereof is about 3:1. Insome embodiments, the ratio of AD04580 to AD04585 administered to asubject in need thereof is about 4:1. In some embodiments, the ratio ofAD04580 to AD04585 administered to a subject in need thereof is about5:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of AD04580 to AD04585 administeredto a subject in need thereof is about 1:1. In some embodiments, theratio of AD04580 to AD04585 administered to a subject in need thereof isabout 1:2. In some embodiments, about 1 mg/kg (mpk) of AD04580 and about1 mg/kg of AD04585 are administered to a subject in need thereof. Insome embodiments, about 1.5 mg/kg of AD04580 and about 1.5 mg/kg ofAD04585 are administered to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, between about 0.05 and about 5 mg/kg of AD04580 and betweenabout 0.05 and about 5 mg/kg of AD04585 are administered to a subject inneed thereof.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD05070 linked to (NAG37)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD05070 linked to (NAG25)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD05070 linked to (NAG37)s shown as a free acid having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD04580 linked to (NAG31)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD04585 linked to (NAG25)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD04872 linked to (NAG37)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD04872 linked to (NAG25)s shown as a sodium salt having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein consists of orcomprises AD04872 linked to (NAG37)s shown as a free acid having thestructure represented by the following:

In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) are optionallycombined with one or more additional (i.e., second, third, etc.)therapeutics. A second therapeutic can be another HBV RNAi agent (e.g.,a HBV RNAi agent which targets a different sequence within an HBVgenome). An additional therapeutic can also be a small molecule drug,antibody, antibody fragment, and/or vaccine. The HBV RNAi agents, withor without the one or more additional therapeutics, can be combined withone or more excipients to form pharmaceutical compositions.

In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) are optionallycombined with one or more additional therapeutics, wherein theadditional therapeutic is a nucleoside inhibitor or nucleotideinhibitor. In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) areoptionally combined with one or more additional therapeutics, whereinthe additional therapeutic entecavir, tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide,tenofovir disoproxil, lamivudine, or another antiviral therapeutic. Insome embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) are optionallycombined with one or more additional therapeutics, wherein theadditional therapeutic is an interferon. In some embodiments, thedescribed HBV RNAi agent(s) are optionally combined with one or moreadditional therapeutics, wherein the additional therapeutic isinterferon-alpha. In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s)are optionally combined with one or more HBV additional therapeutics,wherein the additional therapeutic is an HBV vaccine.

In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) are optionallycombined with one or more additional therapeutics in a single dosageform (i.e., a cocktail included in a single injection). In someembodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) may be administeredseparately from one or more optional additional therapeutics. In someembodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s) are administered to asubject in need thereof via subcutaneous injection, and the one or moreoptional additional therapeutics are administered orally, which togetherprovide for a treatment regimen for diseases and conditions associatedwith HBV infection. In some embodiments, the described HBV RNAi agent(s)are administered to a subject in need thereof via subcutaneousinjection, and the one or more optional additional therapeutics areadministered via a separate subcutaneous injection.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions for delivering anHBV RNAi agent to a liver cell in vivo, the composition including an HBVRNAi agent conjugated or linked to a targeting group. In someembodiments, the targeting group is an asialoglycoprotein receptorligand. In some embodiments, compositions for delivering an HBV RNAiagent to a liver cell in vivo are described, the composition includingan HBV RNAi agent linked to an N-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligand.

In some embodiments, one or more of the described HBV RNAi agents areadministered to a mammal in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent. In some embodiments, the mammal is a human.

The use of Hepatitis B Virus RNAi agent(s) provides methods fortherapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases/disorders whichare associated with HBV infection. The described HBV RNAi agents mediateRNA interference to inhibit the expression of one or more genesnecessary for replication and/or pathogenesis of Hepatitis B Virus. Inparticular, for example, HBV RNAi agents may inhibit viral polymerase,core protein, surface antigen, e-antigen and/or the X protein, in acell, tissue or mammal. HBV RNAi agents can be used to treat HBVinfection. HBV RNAi agents can also be used to treat or prevent chronicliver diseases/disorders, inflammations, fibrotic conditions andproliferative disorders, like cancers, associated with HBV infection. Insome embodiments, the methods further comprise treatment of Hepatitis DVirus (HDV) in the subject. Such methods comprise administration of HBVRNAi agent to a human being or animal infected with HBV. Further,compositions for delivery of HBV RNAi agents to liver cells in vivo aredescribed.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more HBV RNAi agentscan be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local orsystemic treatment is desired. Administration can be, but is not limitedto, intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, subdermal(e.g., via an implanted device), and intraparenchymal administration. Insome embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions described herein areadministered by subcutaneous injection.

The described HBV RNAi agents and/or compositions can be used in methodsfor therapeutic treatment of HBV infection or disease or conditionscaused by HBV infection. Such methods include administration of an HBVRNAi agent as described herein to a subject, e.g., a human or animalsubject.

As used herein, the terms “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide” mean apolymer of linked nucleosides each of which can be independentlymodified or unmodified.

As used herein, an “RNAi agent” or “RNAi trigger” means a compositionthat contains an RNA or RNA-like (e.g., chemically modified RNA)oligonucleotide molecule that is capable of degrading or inhibitingtranslation of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts of a target mRNA in asequence specific manner. As used herein, RNAi agents may operatethrough the RNA interference mechanism (i.e., inducing RNA interferencethrough interaction with the RNA interference pathway machinery(RNA-induced silencing complex or RISC) of mammalian cells), or by anyalternative mechanism(s) or pathway(s). While it is believed that RNAiagents, as that term is used herein, operate primarily through the RNAinterference mechanism, the disclosed RNAi agents are not bound by orlimited to any particular pathway or mechanism of action. RNAi agentsdisclosed herein are comprised of a sense strand and an antisensestrand, and include, but are not limited to: short interfering RNAs(siRNAs), double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA), micro RNAs (miRNAs), shorthairpin RNAs (shRNA), and dicer substrates. The antisense strand of theRNAi agents described herein is at least partially complementary to themRNA being targeted. RNAi agents may be comprised of modifiednucleotides and/or one or more non-phosphodiester linkages.

As used herein, the terms “silence,” “reduce,” “inhibit.”“down-regulate,” or “knockdown” when referring to expression of a givengene, mean that the expression of the gene, as measured by the level ofRNA transcribed from the gene or the level of polypeptide, protein orprotein subunit translated from the mRNA in a cell, group of cells,tissue, organ, or subject in which the gene is transcribed, is reducedwhen the cell, group of cells, tissue, organ, or subject is treated witholigomeric compounds, such as RNAi agents, described herein as comparedto a second cell, group of cells, tissue, organ, or subject that has notor have not been so treated.

As used herein, the term “sequence” or “nucleotide sequence” mean asuccession or order of nucleobases or nucleotides, described with asuccession of letters using standard nomenclature.

As used herein, a “nucleotide base,” or “nucleobase” is a heterocyclicpyrimidine or purine compound, which is a standard constituent of allnucleic acids, and includes the bases that form the nucleotides adenine(A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Anucleobase may further be modified to include, without limitation,universal bases, hydrophobic bases, promiscuous bases, size-expandedbases, and fluorinated bases.

As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the term“complementary,” when used to describe a first nucleotide sequence(e.g., RNAi agent sense strand or targeted mRNA) in relation to a secondnucleotide sequence (e.g., RNAi agent antisense strand or asingle-stranded antisense oligonucleotide), means the ability of anoligonucleotide or polynucleotide including the first nucleotidesequence to hybridize (form base pair hydrogen bonds under mammalianphysiological conditions (or similar conditions in vitro)) and form aduplex or double helical structure under certain conditions with anoligonucleotide or polynucleotide including the second nucleotidesequence. Complementary sequences include Watson-Crick base pairs ornon-Watson-Crick base pairs and include natural or modified nucleotidesor nucleotide mimics, at least to the extent that the abovehybridization requirements are fulfilled. Sequence identity orcomplementarity is independent of modification. For example, a and Afare complementary to U (or T) and identical to A for the purposes ofdetermining identity or complementarity.

As used herein, “perfectly complementary” or “fully complementary” meansthat all (100% o) of the bases in a contiguous sequence of a firstpolynucleotide will hybridize with the same number of bases in acontiguous sequence of a second polynucleotide. The contiguous sequencemay comprise all or a part of a first or second nucleotide sequence.

As used herein, “partially complementary” means that in a hybridizedpair of nucleobase sequences, at least 70%, but not all, of the bases ina contiguous sequence of a first polynucleotide will hybridize with thesame number of bases in a contiguous sequence of a secondpolynucleotide.

As used herein, “substantially complementary” means that in a hybridizedpair of nucleobase sequences, at least about 85%, but not all, of thebases in a contiguous sequence of a first polynucleotide will hybridizewith the same number of bases in a contiguous sequence of a secondpolynucleotide. The terms “complementary,” “fully complementary,” and“substantially complementary” herein may be used with respect to thebase matching between the sense strand and the antisense strand of adouble-stranded RNAi agent, between the antisense strand of an RNAiagent and a sequence of a target mRNA, or between a single-strandedantisense oligonucleotide and a sequence of a target mRNA.

As used herein, the term “substantially identical” or“substantiallyidentity” as applied to nucleic acid sequence means that a nucleic acidsequence comprises a sequence that has at least about 85% sequenceidentity or more, preferably at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least99%, compared to a reference sequence. Percentage of sequence identityis determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over acomparison window. The percentage is calculated by determining thenumber of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base occurs inboth sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing thenumber of matched positions by the total number of positions in thewindow of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield thepercentage of sequence identity. The inventions disclosed hereinencompasses nucleotide sequences substantially identical to thosedisclosed herein, e.g., in Tables 2, 3, and 4. In some embodiments, thesequences disclosed herein are exactly identical, or at least about 85%,86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%percent identical to those disclosed herein, e.g., in Tables 1, 2, 3 and4.

As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treatment,” and the like, mean themethods or steps taken to provide relief from or alleviation of thenumber, severity, and/or frequency of one or more symptoms of a diseaseor condition in a subject.

As used herein, the phrase “introducing into a cell,” when referring toan oligomeric compound, means functionally delivering the oligomericcompound into a cell. The phrase “functional delivery,” means thatdelivering the oligomeric compound to the cell in a manner that enablesthe oligomeric compound to have the expected biological activity, e.g.,sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression.

Unless stated otherwise, use of the symbol

as used herein means that any group or groups may be linked thereto thatis in accordance with the scope of the inventions described herein.

As used herein, the term “isomers” refers to compounds that haveidentical molecular formulae, but that differ in the nature or thesequence of bonding of their atoms or in the arrangement of their atomsin space. Isomers that differ in the arrangement of their atoms in spaceare termed “stereoisomers.” Stereoisomers that are not mirror images ofone another are termed “diastereoisomers,” and stereoisomers that arenon-superimposable mirror images are termed “enantiomers,” or sometimesoptical isomers. A carbon atom bonded to four non-identical substituentsis termed a “chiral center.”

As used herein, unless specifically identified in a structure as havinga particular conformation, for each structure in which asymmetriccenters are present and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, orother stereoisomeric configurations, each structure disclosed herein isintended to represent all such possible isomers, including theiroptically pure and racemic forms. For example, the structures disclosedherein are intended to cover mixtures of diastereomers as well as singlestereoisomers.

As used in a claim herein, the phrase “consisting of” excludes anyelement, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When used in aclaim herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope ofa claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimedinvention.

The person of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand andappreciate that the compounds and compositions disclosed herein may havecertain atoms (e.g., N, O. or S atoms) in a protonated or deprotonatedstate, depending upon the environment in which the compound orcomposition is placed. Accordingly, as used herein, the structuresdisclosed herein envisage that certain functional groups, such as, forexample, OH, SH, or NH, may be protonated or deprotonated. Thedisclosure herein is intended to cover the disclosed compounds andcompositions regardless of their state of protonation based on theenvironment (such as pH), as would be readily understood by the personof ordinary skill in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention, suitable methods and materials are described below. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, willcontrol. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are RNAi agents for inhibiting expression of HepatitisB Virus (HBV) (referred to herein as HBV RNAi agents or HBV RNAitriggers). Each HBV RNAi agent comprises a sense strand and an antisensestrand. The sense strand and the antisense strand each can be 16 to 30nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense and antisensestrands each can be 17 to 26 nucleotides in length. The sense andantisense strands can be either the same length or they can be differentlengths. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are eachindependently 17 to 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, thesense and antisense strands are each independently 17-21 nucleotides inlength. In some embodiments, both the sense and antisense strands areeach 21-26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense strandis about 19 nucleotides in length while the antisense strand is about 21nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense strand is about 21nucleotides in length while the antisense strand is about 23 nucleotidesin length. In some embodiments, both the sense and antisense strands areeach 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the RNAi agent senseand antisense strands are each independently 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,24, 25, or 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, adouble-stranded RNAi agent has a duplex length of about 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23 or 24 nucleotides. This region of perfect or substantialcomplementarity between the sense strand and the antisense strand istypically 15-25 (e.g., 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25)nucleotides in length and occurs at or near the 5′ end of the antisensestrand (e.g., this region may be separated from the 5′ end of theantisense strand by 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides that are not perfectlyor substantially complementary).

The sense strand and antisense strand each contain a core stretchsequence that is 16 to 23 nucleobases in length. An antisense strandcore stretch sequence is 100% (perfectly) complementary or at leastabout 85% (substantially) complementary to a nucleotide sequence(sometimes referred to, e.g., as a target sequence) present in the HBVmRNA target. A sense strand core stretch sequence is 100% (perfectly)complementary or at least about 85% (substantially) complementary to acore stretch sequence in the antisense strand, and thus the sense strandcore stretch sequence is perfectly identical or at least about 85%identical to a nucleotide sequence (target sequence) present in the HBVmRNA target. A sense strand core stretch sequence can be the same lengthas a corresponding antisense core sequence or it can be a differentlength. In some embodiments, the antisense strand core stretch sequenceis 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, the sense strand core stretch sequence is 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, or 23 nucleotides in length.

Examples of sense and antisense strand nucleotide sequences used informing HBV RNAi agents are provided in Tables 3 and 4. Examples of RNAiagent duplexes, that include the nucleotide sequences in Tables 3 and 4,are provided in Table 5.

The HBV RNAi agent sense and antisense strands anneal to form a duplex.A sense strand and an antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agent may bepartially, substantially, or fully complementary to each other. Withinthe complementary duplex region, the sense strand core stretch sequenceis at least about 85% complementary or 100% complementary to theantisense core stretch sequence. In some embodiments, the sense strandcore stretch sequence contains a sequence of at least 16, at least 17,at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 nucleotides thatis at least about 85% or 100% complementary to a corresponding 16, 17,18, 19, 20, or 21 nucleotide sequence of the antisense strand corestretch sequence (i.e., the sense strand and antisense core stretchsequences of an HBV RNAi agent have a region of at least 16, at least17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 nucleotidesthat is at least 85% base paired or 100% base paired).

In some embodiments, the antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agent disclosedherein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides from any of the antisensestrand sequences in Table 2 or Table 3. In some embodiments, the sensestrand of an HBV RNAi agent disclosed herein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3nucleotides from any of the sense strand sequences in Table 2 or Table4.

The length of the HBV RNAi agent sense and antisense strands describedherein are independently 16 to 30 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, the sense and antisense strands are independently 17 to 26nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense and antisensestrands are 19-26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, thedescribed RNAi agent sense and antisense strands are independently 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 nucleotides in length. The senseand antisense strands can be either the same length or they can bedifferent lengths. In some embodiments, a sense strand and an antisensestrand are each 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a sensestrand is 23 nucleotides in length and an antisense strand is 21nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a sense strand is 22nucleotides in length and an antisense strand is 21 nucleotides inlength. In some embodiments, a sense strand is 21 nucleotides in lengthand an antisense strand is 21 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, a sense strand is 19 nucleotides in length and an antisensestrand is 21 nucleotides in length.

The sense strand and/or the antisense strand may optionally andindependently contain an additional 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 nucleotides(extension) at the 3′ end, the 5′ end, or both the 3′ and 5′ ends of thecore sequences. The antisense strand additional nucleotides, if present,may or may not be complementary to the corresponding sequence in an HBVmRNA. The sense strand additional nucleotides, if present, may or maynot be identical to the corresponding sequence in an HBV mRNA. Theantisense strand additional nucleotides, if present, may or may not becomplementary to the corresponding sense strand's additionalnucleotides, if present.

As used herein, an extension comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 nucleotidesat the 5′ and/or 3′ end of the sense strand core stretch sequence and/orantisense strand core stretch sequence. The extension nucleotides on asense strand may or may not be complementary to nucleotides, either corestretch sequence nucleotides or extension nucleotides, in thecorresponding antisense strand. Conversely, the extension nucleotides onan antisense strand may or may not be complementary to nucleotides,either core stretch sequence nucleotides or extension nucleotides, inthe corresponding sense strand. In some embodiments, both the sensestrand and the antisense strand of an RNAi agent contain 3′ and 5′extensions. In some embodiments, one or more of the 3′ extensionnucleotides of one strand base pairs with one or more 5′ extensionnucleotides of the other strand. In other embodiments, one or more of 3′extension nucleotides of one strand do not base pair with one or more 5′extension nucleotides of the other strand. In some embodiments, an HBVRNAi agent has an antisense strand having a 3′ extension and a sensestrand having a 5′ extension.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandhaving a 3′ extension of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 nucleotides in length. Inother embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandhaving a 3′ extension of 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, one or more of the antisense strand extension nucleotidescomprise uracil or thymidine nucleotides or nucleotides which arecomplementary to a corresponding HBV mRNA sequence. In some embodiments,a 3′ antisense strand extension includes or consists of, but is notlimited to: AUA, UGCUU, CUG, UG, UGCC, CUGCC, CGU, CUU, UGCCUA, CUGCCU,UGCCU, UGAUU, GCCUAU, T, T, U, UU (each listed 5′ to 3′).

In some embodiments, the 3′ end of the antisense strand may includeadditional abasic nucleosides (Ab). In some embodiments, Ab or AbAb maybe added to the 3′ end of the antisense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandhaving a 5′ extension of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 nucleotides in length. Inother embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strandhaving a 5′ extension of 1 or 2 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, one or more of the antisense strand extension nucleotidescomprises uracil or thymidine nucleotides or nucleotides which arecomplementary to a corresponding HBV mRNA sequence. In some embodiments,the 5′ antisense strand extension includes or consists of, but is nolimited to, UA, TU, U, T, UU, T, CUC (each listed 5′ to 3′). Anantisense strand may have any of the 3′ extensions described above incombination with any of the 5′ antisense strand extensions described, ifpresent.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises a sense strand having a3′ extension of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, one or more of the sense strand extension nucleotidescomprises adenosine, uracil, or thymidine nucleotides, AT dinucleotide,or nucleotides which correspond to nucleotides in the HBV mRNA sequence.In some embodiments, the 3′ sense strand extension includes or consistsof, but is not limited to: T, UT, T, UU, UUT, TTT, or ITIT (each listed5′ to 3′).

In some embodiments, the 3′ end of the sense strand may includeadditional abasic nucleosides. In some embodiments, UUAb, UAb, or Ab maybe added to the 3′ end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the oneor more abasic nucleosides added to the 3′ end of the sense strand maybe inverted (invAb). In some embodiments, one or more inverted abasicnucleosides may be inserted between the targeting ligand and thenucleobase sequence of the sense strand of the RNAi agent. In someembodiments, the inclusion of one or more inverted abasic nucleosides ator near the terminal end or terminal ends of the sense strand of an RNAiagent may allow for enhanced activity or other desired properties of anRNAi agent.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises a sense strand having a5′ extension of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, one or more of the sense strand extension nucleotidescomprise uracil or adenosine nucleotides or nucleotides which correspondto nucleotides in the HBV mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the sensestrand 5′ extension can be, but is not limited to: CA, AUAGGC, AUAGG,AUAG, AUA, A, AA, AC, GCA, GGCA, GGC, UAUCA, UAUC, UCA. UAU, U, UU (eachlisted 5′ to 3′). A sense strand may have a 3′ extension and/or a 5′extension.

In some embodiments, the 5′ end of the sense strand may include anadditional abasic nucleoside (Ab) or nucleosides (AbAb). In someembodiments, the one or more abasic nucleosides added to the 5′ end ofthe sense strand may be inverted (invAb). In some embodiments, one ormore inverted abasic nucleosides may be inserted between the targetingligand and the nucleobase sequence of the sense strand of the RNAiagent. In some embodiments, the inclusion of one or more inverted abasicnucleosides at or near the terminal end or terminal ends of the sensestrand of an RNAi agent may allow for enhanced activity or other desiredproperties of an RNAi agent.

Examples of nucleotide sequences used in forming HBV RNAi agents areprovided in Tables 3 and 4. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agentantisense strand includes a nucleotide sequence of any of the sequencesin Table 3. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent antisense strandincludes the sequence of nucleotides 1-17, 2-15, 2-17, 1-18, 2-18, 1-19,2-19, 1-20, 2-20, 1-21, 2-21, 1-22, 2-22, 1-23, 2-23, 1-24, 2-24, 1-25,2-25, 1-26, or 2-26 of any of the sequences in Table 3. In someembodiments, an HBV RNAi agent sense strand includes the nucleotidesequence of any of the sequences in Table 4. In some embodiments, an HBVRNAi agent sense strand includes the sequence of nucleotides 1-18, 1-19,1-20, 1-21, 1-22, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 2-19, 2-20, 2-21, 2-22, 2-23,2-24, 2-25, 2-26, 3-20, 3-21, 3-22, 3-23, 3-24, 3-25, 3-26, 4-21, 4-22,4-23, 4-24, 4-25, 4-26, 5-22, 5-23, 5-24, 5-25, 5-26, 6-23, 6-24, 6-25,6-26, 7-24, 7-25, 7-25, 8-25, 8-26 of any of the sequences in Table 4.

In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands of the RNAi agentsdescribed herein contain the same number of nucleotides. In someembodiments, the sense and antisense strands of the RNAi agentsdescribed herein contain different numbers of nucleotides. In someembodiments, the sense strand 5′ end and the antisense strand 3′ end ofan RNAi agent form a blunt end. In some embodiments, the sense strand 3′end and the antisense strand 5′ end of an RNAi agent form a blunt end.In some embodiments, both ends of an RNAi agent form blunt ends. In someembodiments, neither end of an RNAi agent is blunt-ended. As used hereina blunt end refers to an end of a double stranded RNAi agent in whichthe terminal nucleotides of the two annealed strands are complementary(form a complementary base-pair). In some embodiments, the sense strand5′ end and the antisense strand 3′ end of an RNAi agent form a frayedend. In some embodiments, the sense strand 3′ end and the antisensestrand 5′ end of an RNAi agent form a frayed end. In some embodiments,both ends of an RNAi agent form a frayed end. In some embodiments,neither end of an RNAi agent is a frayed end. As used herein a frayedend refers to an end of a double stranded RNAi agent in which theterminal nucleotides of the two annealed strands from a pair (i.e. donot form an overhang) but are not complementary (i.e. form anon-complementary pair). As used herein, an overhang is a stretch of oneor more unpaired nucleotides at the end of one strand of a doublestranded RNAi agent. The unpaired nucleotides may be on the sense strandor the antisense strand, creating either 3′ or 5′ overhangs. In someembodiments, the RNAi agent contains: a blunt end and a frayed end, ablunt end and 5′ overhang end, a blunt end and a 3′ overhang end, afrayed end and a 5′ overhang end, a frayed end and a 3′ overhang end,two 5′ overhang ends, two 3′ overhang ends, a 5′ overhang end and a 3′overhang end, two frayed ends, or two blunt ends.

A nucleotide base (or nucleobase) is a heterocyclic pyrimidine or purinecompound which is a constituent of all nucleic acids and includesadenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Asused herein, the term “nucleotide” can include a modified nucleotide(such as, for example, a nucleotide mimic, abasic site (Ab), or asurrogate replacement moiety). Modified nucleotides, when used invarious polynucleotide or oligonucleotide constructs, may preserveactivity of the compound in cells while at the same time increasing theserum stability of these compounds, and can also minimize thepossibility of activating interferon activity in humans uponadministering of the polynucleotide or oligonucleotide construct.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent is prepared or provided as asalt, mixed salt, or a free-acid. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agentis prepared as a sodium salt. Such forms are within the scope of theinventions disclosed herein.

Modified Nucleotides

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent contains one or more modifiednucleotides. As used herein, a “modified nucleotide” is a nucleotideother than a ribonucleotide (2′-hydroxyl nucleotide). In someembodiments, at least 50% (e.g., at least 60%, at least 70%, at least80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least99%, or 100%) of the nucleotides are modified nucleotides. As usedherein, modified nucleotides include, but are not limited to,deoxyribonucleotides, nucleotide mimics, abasic nucleotides (representedherein as Ab), 2′-modified nucleotides, 3′ to 3′ linkages (inverted)nucleotides (represented herein as invdN, invN, invn, invAb),non-natural base-comprising nucleotides, bridged nucleotides, peptidenucleic acids (PNAs), 2′,3′-seco nucleotide mimics (unlocked nucleobaseanalogues, represented herein as N_(UNA) or NUNA), locked nucleotides(represented herein as N_(LNA) or NLNA), 3′-O-methoxy (2′internucleoside linked) nucleotides (represented herein as 3′-OMen),2′-F-Arabino nucleotides (represented herein as NfANA or Nf_(ANA)),5′-Me, 2′-fluoro nucleotide (represented herein as 5Me-Nf), morpholinonucleotides, vinyl phosphonate deoxyribonucleotides (represented hereinas vpdN), vinyl phosphonate containing nucleotides, and cyclopropylphosphonate containing nucleotides (cPrpN). 2′-modified nucleotides(i.e. a nucleotide with a group other than a hydroxyl group at the 2′position of the five-membered sugar ring) include, but are not limitedto, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides (represented herein as a lower case letter‘n’ in a nucleotide sequence), 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides(represented herein as Nf, also represented herein as 2′-fluoronucleotide), 2′-deoxy nucleotides (represented herein as dN),2′-methoxyethyl (2′-O-2-methoxylethyl) nucleotides (represented hereinas NM or 2′-MOE), 2′-amino nucleotides, and 2′-alkyl nucleotides. It isnot necessary for all positions in a given compound to be uniformlymodified. Conversely, more than one modification may be incorporated ina single HBV RNAi agent or even in a single nucleotide thereof. The HBVRNAi agent sense strands and antisense strands may be synthesized and/ormodified by methods known in the art. Modification at one nucleotide isindependent of modification at another nucleotide.

Modified nucleobases include synthetic and natural nucleobases, such as5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and 0-6substituted purines, (e.g., 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil, or5-propynylcytosine), 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-alkyl (e.g.,6-methyl, 6-ethyl, 6-isopropyl, or 6-n-butyl) derivatives of adenine andguanine, 2-alkyl (e.g., 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, 2-isopropyl, or 2-n-butyl)and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil,2-thiothymine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil, cytosine, 5-propynyluracil, 5-propynyl cytosine, 6-azo uracil, 6-azo cytosine, 6-azothymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino,8-sulfhydryl, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adeninesand guanines, 5-halo (e.g., 5-bromo), 5-trifluoromethyl, and other5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine,7-deazaadenine, 3-deazaguanine, and 3-deazaadenine.

In some embodiments, all or substantially all of the nucleotides of anRNAi agent are modified nucleotides. As used herein, an RNAi agentwherein substantially all of the nucleotides present are modifiednucleotides is an RNAi agent having four or fewer (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, or4) nucleotides in both the sense strand and the antisense strand beingribonucleotides. As used herein, a sense strand wherein substantiallyall of the nucleotides present are modified nucleotides is a sensestrand having two or fewer (i.e., 0, 1, or 2) nucleotides in the sensestrand being ribonucleotides. As used herein, an antisense sense strandwherein substantially all of the nucleotides present are modifiednucleotides is an antisense strand having two or fewer (i.e., 0, 1, or2) nucleotides in the sense strand being ribonucleotides. In someembodiments, one or more nucleotides of an RNAi agent is aribonucleotide.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages

In some embodiments, one or more nucleotides of an HBV RNAi agent arelinked by non-standard linkages or backbones (i.e., modifiedinternucleoside linkages or modified backbones). In some embodiments, amodified internucleoside linkage is a non-phosphate-containing covalentinternucleoside linkage. Modified internucleoside linkages or backbonesinclude, but are not limited to, 5′-phosphorothioate groups (representedherein as a lower case “s”), chiral phosphorothioates, thiophosphates,phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkyl-phosphotriesters,alkyl phosphonates (e.g., methyl phosphonates or 3′-alkylenephosphonates), chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates(e.g., 3′-amino phosphoramidate, aminoalkylphosphoramidates, orthionophosphoramidates), thionoalkyl-phosphonates,thionoalkylphosphotriesters, morpholino linkages, boranophosphateshaving normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of boranophosphates,or boranophosphates having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent pairsof nucleoside units are linked 3′-5′ to 5′-3′ or 2′-5′ to 5′-2′. In someembodiments, a modified internucleoside linkage or backbone lacks aphosphorus atom. Modified internucleoside linkages lacking a phosphorusatom include, but are not limited to, short chain alkyl or cycloalkylinter-sugar linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkylinter-sugar linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic orheterocyclic inter-sugar linkages. In some embodiments, modifiedinternucleoside backbones include, but are not limited to, siloxanebackbones, sulfide backbones, sulfoxide backbones, sulfone backbones,formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methylene formacetyl andthioformacetyl backbones, alkene-containing backbones, sulfamatebackbones, methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones, sulfonateand sulfonamide backbones, amide backbones, and other backbones havingmixed N, O, S, and CH₂ components.

In some embodiments, a sense strand of an HBV RNAi agent can contain 1,2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 phosphorothioate linkages, an antisense strand of anHBV RNAi agent can contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 phosphorothioatelinkages, or both the sense strand and the antisense strandindependently can contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 phosphorothioate linkages.In some embodiments, a sense strand of an HBV RNAi agent can contain 1,2, 3, or 4 phosphorothioate linkages, an antisense strand of an HBV RNAiagent can contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 phosphorothioate linkages, or both thesense strand and the antisense strand independently can contain 1, 2, 3,or 4 phosphorothioate linkages.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent sense strand contains at leasttwo phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In some embodiments, theat least two phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages are between thenucleotides at positions 1-3 from the 3′ end of the sense strand. Insome embodiments, the at least two phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkages are between the nucleotides at positions 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6,4-5, or 6-8 from the 5′ end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, anHBV RNAi agent antisense strand contains four phosphorothioateinternucleoside linkages. In some embodiments, the four phosphorothioateinternucleoside linkages are between the nucleotides at positions 1-3from the 5′ end of the sense strand and between the nucleotides atpositions 19-21, 20-22, 21-23, 22-24, 23-25, or 24-26 from the 5′ end.In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent contains at least twophosphorothioate internucleoside linkages in the sense strand and threeor four phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages in the antisensestrand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent contains one or more modifiednucleotides and one or more modified internucleoside linkages. In someembodiments, a 2′-modified nucleoside is combined with modifiedinternucleoside linkage.

HBV RNAi Agents

In some embodiments, the HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein target an HBVgene at or near the positions of the HBV genome shown in the followingTable 1. In some embodiments, the antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agentdisclosed herein includes a core stretch sequence that is fully,substantially, or at least partially complementary to a target HBV19-mer sequence disclosed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Example 19-mer HBV cDNA target sequences for HBV RNAi agents (taken from Hepatitis B virus (subtype ADW2), genotype A. complete genome GenBank AM282986.1 (SEQ ID NO: 1)). HBV 19-mer GenomeRegion of Target Sequences Position of HBV Gene SEQ ID No. (5′→3′)SEQ ID NO: 1 Targeted 2 GTGGTGGACTTCTCTCAAT  256-274 S ORF 3TGGTGGACTTCTCTCAATT  257-275 S ORF 4 GGACTTCTCTCAATTTTCT  261-279 S ORF5 GCTGTAGGCATAAATTGGT 1780-1798 X ORF 6 CTGTAGGCATAAATTGGTC 1781-1799X ORF

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent includes an antisense strandwherein position 19 of the antisense strand (5′→3′) is capable offorming a base pair with position 1 of a 19-mer target sequencedisclosed in Table 1. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent includes anantisense strand wherein position 1 of the antisense strand (5′3′) iscapable of forming a base pair with position 19 of the 19-mer targetsequence disclosed in Table 1.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent includes an antisense strandwherein position 2 of the antisense strand (5′→3′) is capable of forminga base pair with position 18 of the 19-mer target sequence disclosed inTable 1. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent includes an antisensestrand wherein positions 2 through 18 of the antisense strand (5′→3′)are capable of forming base pairs with each of the respectivecomplementary bases located at positions 18 through 2 of the 19-mertarget sequence disclosed in Table 1.

In some embodiments, the HBV RNAi agents include core 19-mer nucleotidesequences shown in the following Table 2.

TABLE 2 HBV RNAi agent antisense strand and sense strand core stretchsequences (N = any nucleotide). Antisense Sequence Sense Sequence GenomeSEQ (5′→3′) SEQ (5′→3′) Position of ID NO: (19-mer) ID NO: (19-mer)SEQ ID NO: 1  7 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAC 34 GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU  256-274  8UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAC 35 GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAA  256-274  9AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAN 36 NUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU  256-274 10UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAN 37 NUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAA  256-274 11NUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAN 38 NUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAN  256-274 12AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA 39 UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU  257-275 13UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCA 40 UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA  257-275 14AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCN 41 NGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU  257-275 15UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCN 42 NGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA  257-275 16NAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCN 43 NGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUN  257-275 17AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC 44 GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU  261-279 18UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCC 45 GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA  261-279 19AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCN 46 NGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU  261-279 20UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCN 47 NGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA  261-279 21NGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCN 48 NGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCN  261-279 22ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGC 49 GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 1780-1798 23UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGC 50 GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA 1780-1798 24ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGN 51 NCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 1780-1798 25UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGN 52 NCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA 1780-1798 26NCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGN 53 NCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGN 1780-1798 27GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG 54 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC 1781-1799 28AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG 55 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU 1781-1799 29UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAG 56 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 1781-1799 30GACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAN 57 NUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUC 1781-1799 31AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAN 58 NUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU 1781-1799 32UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAN 59 NUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 1781-1799 33NACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAN 60 NUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUN 1781-1799

The HBV RNAi agent sense strands and antisense strands that comprise orconsist of the nucleotide sequences in Table 2 can be modifiednucleotides or unmodified nucleotides. In some embodiments, the HBV RNAiagents having the sense and antisense strand sequences that comprise orconsist of the nucleotide sequences in Table 2 are all or substantiallyall modified nucleotides.

In some embodiments, the antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agent disclosedherein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides from any of the antisensestrand sequences in Table 2. In some embodiments, the sense strand of anHBV RNAi agent disclosed herein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3 nucleotidesfrom any of the sense strand sequences in Table 2.

Modified HBV RNAi agent antisense strand sequences, as well as theirunderlying unmodified sequences, are provided in Table 3. Modified HBVRNAi agent sense strands, as well as their underlying unmodifiedsequences, are provided in Table 4. In forming HBV RNAi agents, each ofthe nucleotides in each of the unmodified sequences listed in Tables 3and 4 may be a modified nucleotide.

As used herein (including in Tables 3 and 4), the following notationsare used to indicate modified nucleotides, targeting groups, and linkinggroups. As the person of ordinary skill in the art would readilyunderstand, unless otherwise indicated by the sequence, that whenpresent in an oligonucleotide, the monomers are mutually linked by5′-3′-phosphodiester bonds:

-   -   A=adenosine-3′-phosphate;    -   C=cytidine-3′-phosphate;    -   G=guanosine-3′-phosphate;    -   U=uridine-3′-phosphate    -   n=any 2′-OMe modified nucleotide    -   a=2′-O-methyladenosine-3′-phosphate    -   as =2′-O-methyladenosine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   c=2′-O-methylcytidine-3′-phosphate    -   cs=2′-O-methylcytidine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   g=2′-O-methylguanosine-3′-phosphate    -   gs=2′-O-methylguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   t=2′-O-methyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphate    -   ts=2′-O-methyl-5-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   u=2′-O-methyluridine-3′-phosphate    -   us=2′-O-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   Nf=any 2′-fluoro modified nucleotide    -   Af=2′-fluoroadenosine-3′-phosphate    -   Afs=2′-fluoroadenosine-3′-phosporothioate    -   Cf=2′-fluorocytidine-3′-phosphate    -   Cfs=2′-fluorocytidine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   Gf=2′-fluoroguanosine-3′-phosphate    -   Gfs=2′-fluoroguanosine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   Tf=2′-fluoro-5′-methyluridine-3′-phosphate    -   Tfs=2′-fluoro-5′-methyluridine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   Uf=2′-fluorouridine-3′-phosphate    -   Ufs=2′-fluorouridine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   dN=any 2′-deoxyribonucleotide    -   dT=2′-deoxythymidine-3′-phosphate    -   N_(UNA)=2′,3′-seco nucleotide mimics (unlocked nucleobase        analogs)    -   N_(LNA)=locked nucleotide    -   Nf_(ANA)=2′-F-Arabino nucleotide    -   NM=2′-methoxyethyl nucleotide    -   AM=2′-methoxyethyladenosine-3′-phosphate    -   AMs=2′-methoxyethyladenosine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   TM=2′-methoxyethylthymidine-3′-phosphate    -   TMs=2′-methoxyethylthvmidine-3′-phosphorothioate    -   R=ribitol    -   (invdN)=any inverted deoxyribonucleotide (3′-3′ linked        nucleotide)    -   (invAb)=inverted (3′-3′ linked) abasic deoxyribonucleotide, see        Table 6    -   (invAb)s=inverted (3′-3′ linked) abasic        deoxyribonucleotide-5′-phosphorothioate, see Table 6    -   (invn)=any inverted 2′-OMe nucleotide (3′-3′ linked nucleotide)    -   s=phosphorothioate linkage    -   vpdN=vinyl phosphonate deoxyribonucleotide    -   (5Me-Nf)=5′-Me, 2′-fluoro nucleotide    -   cPrp=cyclopropyl phosphonate, see Table 6    -   epTcPr=see Table 6    -   epTM=see Table 6

The person or ordinary skill in the art would readily understand thatthe terminal nucleotide at the 3′ end of a given oligonucleotidesequence would typically have a hydroxyl (—OH) group at the respective3′ position of the given monomer instead of a phosphate moiety ex vivo.Thus, for example, as shown above in the structure representation ofAD05070, above, the “g” modified nucleotide on the terminal 3′ end ofthe antisense strand of AM06606-AS has a hydroxyl group positioned atits 3′ position. Unless expressly indicated otherwise herein, suchunderstandings of the person of ordinary skill in the art are used whendescribing the HBV RNAi agents and compositions of HBV RNAi agentsdisclosed herein.

Targeting groups and linking groups include the following, for whichtheir chemical structures are provided below in Table 6: (PAZ), (NAG13),(NAG13)s, (NAG18), (NAG18)s, (NAG24), (NAG24)s, (NAG25), (NAG25)s,(NAG26), (NAG26)s, (NAG27), (NAG27)s, (NAG28), (NAG28)s, (NAG29),(NAG29)s, (NAG30), (NAG30)s, (NAG31), (NAG31)s, (NAG32), (NAG32)s,(NAG33), (NAG33)s, (NAG34), (NAG34)s, (NAG35), (NAG35)s, (NAG36),(NAG36)s, (NAG37), (NAG37)s, (NAG38), (NAG38)s, (NAG39), (NAG39)s. Eachsense strand and/or antisense strand can have any targeting groups orlinking groups listed above, as well as other targeting or linkinggroups, conjugated to the 5′ and/or 3′ end of the sequence.

TABLE 3 HBV RNAi Agent antisense strand sequences. AS SEQ ID SEQ IDStrand ID Modified sequence (5′→3′) NO. Unmodified sequence (5′→3′) NO.AM03508-AS usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsusuAu  61UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCUUAU 149 AM04441-ASusAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfcscsu  62 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCU 150AM04442-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfccsu  63UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGCCU 150 AM04443-ASusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfsc  64 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGC 151AM04661-AS usGfsugaAfgCfGfaaguGfcAfcacsusu  65 UGUGAAGCGAAGUGCACACUU 152AM04768-AS usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgCfcsusccgc  66UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUCCGC 153 AM04769-ASvpusAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgCfcsusccgc  67UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUCCGC 153 AM05011-ASusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu  68 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU 154AM05012-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfggsc  69 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGC151 AM05013-AS vpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfsc  70UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGC 151 AM05014-ASvpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu  71 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU 154AM05052-AS asUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcGfsa  72 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA155 AM05053-AS asUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcgsa  73AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 155 AM05054-AS asUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcusu 74 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 156 AM05055-ASvpusUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcGfsa  75 UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 157AM05056-AS asAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg  76 AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG158 AM05057-AS asAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfacsg  77AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 158 AM05058-AS asAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfausu 78 AAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAUU 159 AM05060-ASvpusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg  79 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 160AM05351-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgGfsu  80 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGU161 AM05608-AS usAfscCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgsusu  81UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU 154 AM05609-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc 82 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162 AM05610-ASusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgccusu  83 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU 163AM05611-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgccusc  84UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC 164 AM05612-AS usAfscscaauUfuAfuGfcCfuacagcsc 85 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162 AM05613-ASusAfscscaauUfuAfuGfcCfuacagccusu  86 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU 163AM05614-AS usAfscscaauUfuAfuGfcCfuacagccusc  87 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC164 AM05618-AS asUfsusgagaGfaAfgUfcCfaccacusu  88 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU156 AM05621-AS usUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcusu  89UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 165 AM05623-ASasUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcggusu  90 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGGUU 166AM05626-AS asUfsusgagaGfaAfgUfcCfaccacggusu  91 AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGGUU166 AM05628-AS asUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcgagsu  92AUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGAGU 167 AM05631-ASusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg  93 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 160AM05632-AS usAfsusugagAfgAfaGfuCfcaccacsg  94 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 160AM05633-AS usAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfgusu  95UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGUU 168 AM05634-AS usAfsusugagAfgAfaGfuCfcaccacgasg 96 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGAG 169 AM05635-ASusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfgasg  97 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGAG 169AM05637-AS usAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfgsa  98UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 170 AM05638-AS usAfsusugagAfgAfaGfuCfcaccacgsa 99 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 170 AM05747-ASasGfsasAfaAfuugagAfgAfaGfuCfcAfsc 100 AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC 171AM05849-AS usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgusu 101 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU154 AM05850-AS usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc 102UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162 AM05851-AS usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgcusu103 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU 172 AM05852-ASusAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccsu 104 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU 173AM05853-AS usAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccusu 105UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU 163 AM05854-ASusAfscsCfaAfuuuauGfcCfuAfcAfgccusc 106 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC 164AM05855-AS cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu 107UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU 154 AM05860-AScPrpusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg 108 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 160AM05862-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfausu 109 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCAUU174 AM05863-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsg 110UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG 160 AM05864-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsusu111 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 175 AM05865-ASusAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsgsa 112 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 170AM05867-AS vpusAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfaCfsg 113 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACG160 AM05873-AS usUfsusGfaGfagaagUfcCfaCfcAfcusu 114UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 165 AM05874-AS usUfsusGfaGfagaagUfcCfaCfcAfcgsa115 UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGA 157 AM05875-ASusUfsusGfaGfagangUfcCfaCfcAfcgusu 116 UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGUU 176AM05876-AS usUfsusGfaGfagaagUfcCfaCfcAfcgasg 117 UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGAG177 AM05877-AS cPrpusUfsusGfaGfaGfaAfgUfcCfaCfcAfcusu 118UUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 165 AM06074-AScPrpusAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacsusu 119 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 175AM06142-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacusu 120 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU175 AM06143-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacgusu 121UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGUU 168 AM06144-ASusAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacuus(invAb) 122 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 175AM06145-AS usAfsusUfgAfgagaaGfuCfcAfcCfacgasg 123UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACGAG 169 AM06222-ASusAfsusUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcAfcCfacusu 124 UAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACCACUU 175AM06281-AS asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu 125 AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU178 AM06282-AS asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc 126AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC 171 AM06283-ASasGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacusu 127 AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACUU 179AM06284-AS asGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcacsc 128AGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCACC 180 AM06285-AS usGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcusu129 UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCUU 152 AM06286-ASusGfsasAfaAfuUfgAfgAfgAfaGfuCfcasc 130 UGAAAAUUGAGAGAAGUCCAC 181AM06299-AS asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu 131 ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU182 AM06300-AS asCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu 132ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU 183 AM06301-ASasCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusc 133 ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUC 184AM06302-AS usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcusu 134 UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCUU185 AM06303-AS usCfscsAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccusu 135UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCUU 186 AM06463-AScPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc 136 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162AM06464-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc 137 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC162 AM06465-AS cPrpusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgscsc 138UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162 AM06604-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsu139 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCU 187 AM06606-ASusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsg 140 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCG 188AM06608-AS asAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgcsc 141 AACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC189 AM06611-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfUfAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgusu 142UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGUU 154 AM06612-AS usAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfgCfsc143 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCC 162 AM06614-ASasCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu 144 ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU 190AM06616-AS usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfcCfsu 145 UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCU191 AM06618-AS asCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg 146ACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG 192 AM06620-AS usCfscAfaUfuUfaUfgCfcUfaCfaGfccsg147 UCCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGCCG 193 AM06751-ASusAfscsCfaAfuUfuAfuGfcCfuAfcAfggsg 148 UACCAAUUUAUGCCUACAGGG 194

TABLE 4 HBV RNAi agent sense strand sequences. SEQ SEQ ID ID Strand IDModified sequence (5′→3′) NO. Unmodified sequence (5′→3′) NO. AM04444-SS(NAG25)uusgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguaus(invdT) 195UUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUT 275 AM04445-SS(NAG25)uauausgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauuggu(invdA) 196UAUAUGCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 276 AM04767-SS(NAG25)gcggagsgcuguagGfCfAfuaaauuggTM(invdA) 197GCGGAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGTA 277 AM05010-SS(NAG25)scsuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguauus(invAb) 198 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 278AM05015-SS (NAG25)sgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 199GCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 279 AM05016-SS(NAG25)sgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauuggus(invdA) 200 GCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 279AM05017-SS (NAG25)sgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguAMs(invAb) 201GCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 279 AM05018-SS(NAG25)sgsccuguagGfCfAfuaaauuggTMAMs(invAb) 202 GCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGTA280 AM05019-SS (NAG25)sasacuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 203AACUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 281 AM05034-SS(NAG25)suscguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 204 UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 282AM05046-SS (NAG25)sasaguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 205AAGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 283 AM05047-SS(NAG25)suscguggugGfAfCfuucucucaAMTMs(invAb) 206 UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAT284 AM05048-SS (NAG25)scsgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauus(invAb) 207CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU 285 AM05049-SS(NAG25)sasaugguggAfCfUfucucucaauus(invAb) 208 AAUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU 286AM05050-SS (NAG25)scsgugguggAfCfUfucucucaaTMTMs(invAb) 209CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAATT 287 AM05051-SS(NAG25)sgsgacuucuCfUfCfaauuuucuaas(invAb) 210 GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCUAA 288AM05063-SS (NAG25)scsgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauas(invAb) 211CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA 289 AM05064-SS(NAG25)suscguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaas(invAb) 212 UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAA 290AM05346-SS (NAG31)sasccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 213ACCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 291 AM05347-SS(NAG31)s(invAb)scuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 214 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA292 AM05606-SS (NAG25)s(invAb)scuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 215CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 292 AM05607-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 216 CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA292 AM05615-SS (NAG25)s(invAb)sacuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 217ACUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 293 AM05616-SS(NAG25)sgsgcuguagGfCfAfuaaatiugguas(invAb) 218 GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 294AM05617-SS (NAG37)sasaguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 219AAGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 283 AM05620-SS(NAG25)sasaguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaas(invAb) 220 AAGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAA 295AM05622-SS (NAG25)scscguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 221CCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 296 AM05624-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sccguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 222CCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 296 AM05627-SS(NAG25)scsucguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 223 CUCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU297 AM05629-SS (NAG25)s(invAb)sguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 224GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 298 AM05630-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sguggugGfAfCfuucucucaauusu(invAb) 225GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUU 299 AM05636-SS(NAG25)suscgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauus(invAb) 226 UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU300 AM05639-SS (NAG25)s(invAb)sugguggAfCfUfucucucaauus(invAb) 227UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU 301 AM05640-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sugguggAfCfUfucucucaauus(invAb) 228 UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUU301 AM05746-SS (NAG25)sgsuggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucus(invAb) 229GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU 302 AM05856-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)scuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguausu(invAb) 230CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 278 AM05857-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sgcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguausu(invAb) 231GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 303 AM05858-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sggcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguausu(invAb) 232GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 304 AM05859-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)saacuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguausu(invAb) 233AACUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 305 AM05868-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)ugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 234UGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 306 AM05869-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 235GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 307 AM05870-SS(NAG25)sasaugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 236 AAUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU308 AM05871-SS (NAG25)scsgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 237CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 309 AM05872-SS(NAG31)scsgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauas(invAb) 238 CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA 289AM05879-SS (NAG25)s(invAb)saaguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaus(invAb) 239AAGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAU 283 AM05880-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaausu(invAb) 240GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAAUU 310 AM05881-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)scguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaausu(invAb) 241CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAAUU 311 AM05882-SS(NAG25)sasaguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaausu(invAb) 242 AAGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAAUU312 AM05883-SS (NAG25)suscguggugGfAfCfuucucucaaausu(invAb) 243UCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAAUU 313 AM06146-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 244GUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 307 AM06147-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 245CGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 309 AM06148-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scucgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauas(invAb) 246CUCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUA 314 AM06149-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scucgugguggAfCfUfucucucaauausu(invAb) 247CUCGUGGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUAUU 315 AM06150-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sggcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 248GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 294 AM06151-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgaggcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 249GAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 316 AM06152-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgaggcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguausu(invAb) 250GAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 317 AM06287-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucus(invAb) 251 GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU318 AM06288-SS (NAG37)s(invAb)sguggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucus(invAb) 252GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU 302 AM06289-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgguggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucus(invAb) 253GGUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU 319 AM06290-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucas(invAb) 254 GGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA320 AM06291-SS (NAG37)s(invAb)sguggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucas(invAb) 255GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCA 321 AM06304-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggus(invAb) 256 GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU322 AM06305-SS (NAG37)s(invAb)sggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggus(invAb) 257GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 323 AM06306-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgaggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggus(invAb) 258GAGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 324 AM06307-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sgcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggas(invAb) 259 GCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA325 AM06308-SS (NAG37)s(invAb)sggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggas(invAb) 260GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA 326 AM06603-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sagcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 261AGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 327 AM06605-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scgcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 262CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 328 AM06607-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)sggcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguus(invAb) 263GGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUU 329 AM06609-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguasuus(invAb) 264CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 278 AM06610-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scuGfuAfgGfCfAfuAfaAfuUfgGfuasuus 265CUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUAUU 278 (invAb) AM06613-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)saggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggus(invAb) 266AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 330 AM06615-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)saggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggas(invAb) 267AGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA 331 AM06617-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggus(invAb) 268CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGU 332 AM06619-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scggcuguaGfGfCfauaaauuggas(invAb) 269CGGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGA 333 AM06750-SS(NAG37)s(invAb)scccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 270CCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 334 AM06752-SS(NAG37)csgcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 271 CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 328AM06753-SS (NAG37)csccuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 272CCCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 334 AM06776-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)sguggacuuCfUfCfucaauuuucus(invAb) 273GUGGACUUCUCUCAAUUUUCU 302 AM06777-SS(NAG25)s(invAb)scgcuguagGfCfAfuaaauugguas(invAb) 274CGCUGUAGGCAUAAAUUGGUA 328

The HBV RNAi agents described herein are formed by annealing anantisense strand with a sense strand. A sense strand containing asequence listed in Table 4 can be hybridized to any antisense strandcontaining a sequence listed in Table 3, provided the two sequences havea region of at least about 85% complementarity over a contiguous 16, 17,18, 19, 20, or 21 nucleotide sequence.

In some embodiments, the antisense strand of an HBV RNAi agent disclosedherein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides from any of the antisensestrand sequences in Table 3. In some embodiments, the sense strand of anHBV RNAi agent disclosed herein differs by 0, 1, 2, or 3 nucleotidesfrom any of the sense strand sequences in Table 4.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent antisense strand comprises anucleotide sequence of any of the sequences in Table 3. In someembodiments, an HBV RNAi agent antisense strand comprises the sequenceof nucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end) 1-17, 2-17, 1-18, 2-18, 1-19, 2-19,1-20, 2-20, 1-21, 2-21, 1-22, 2-22, 1-23, 2-23, 1-24, 2-24, 1-25, 2-25,1-26, or 2-26 of any of the sequences in Table 3.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent sense strand comprises thenucleotide sequence of any of the sequences in Table 4. In someembodiments, an HBV RNAi agent sense strand comprises the sequence ofnucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end) 1-17, 2-17, 3-17, 4-17, 1-18, 2-18,3-18, 4-18, 1-19, 2-19, 3-19, 4-19, 1-20, 2-20, 3-20, 4-20, 1-21, 2-21,3-21, 4-21, 1-22, 2-22, 3-22, 4-22, 1-23, 2-23, 3-23, 4-23, 1-24, 2-24,3-24, 4-24, 1-25, 2-25, 3-25, 4-25, 1-26, 2-26, 3-26, or 4-26 of any ofthe sequences in Table 4.

For the HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein, the nucleotide at position 1of the antisense strand (from 5′ end→3′ end) can be perfectlycomplementary to an HBV gene, or can be non-complementary to an HBVgene. In some embodiments, the nucleotide at position 1 of the antisensestrand (from 5′ end→3′ end) is a U, A, or dT. In some embodiments, thenucleotide at position 1 of the antisense strand (from 5′ end→3′ end)forms an A:U or U:A base pair with the sense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent antisense strand comprises thesequence of nucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end) 2-18 or 2-19 of any of theantisense strand sequences in Table 3. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAisense strand comprises the sequence of nucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end)1-17 or 1-18 of any of the sense strand sequences in Table 4.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent includes (i) an antisense strandcomprising the sequence of nucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end) 2-18 or 2-19of any of the antisense strand sequences in Table 3, and (ii) a sensestrand comprising the sequence of nucleotides (from 5′ end→3′ end) 1-17or 1-18 of any of the sense strand sequences in Table 4.

A sense strand containing a sequence listed in Table 4 can be hybridizedto any antisense strand containing a sequence listed in Table 3 providedthe two sequences have a region of at least about 85% complementarityover a contiguous 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 nucleotide sequence.Representative sequence pairings are exemplified by the Duplex ID Nos.shown in Table 5.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises of any of the Duplex IDNos. presented herein. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent consistsof any of the Duplex ID Nos. presented herein. In some embodiments, anHBV RNAi agent comprises the sense strand and/or the antisense strandnucleotide sequences of any of the Duplex ID Nos. presented herein. Insome embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises the sense strand andantisense strand nucleotide sequences of any of the Duplex ID Nos.presented herein and a targeting group and/or linking group wherein thetargeting group and/or linking group is covalently linked (i.e.conjugated) to the sense strand or the antisense strand. In someembodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises the sense strand and antisensestrand modified nucleotide sequences of any of the Duplex ID Nos.presented herein. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises thesense strand and antisense strand modified nucleotide sequences of anyof the Duplex ID Nos. presented herein and a targeting group and/orlinking group wherein the targeting group and/or linking group iscovalently linked to the sense strand or the antisense strand.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand anda sense strand having the nucleotide sequences of any of the antisensestrand/sense strand duplexes of Table 5, and further comprises anasialoglycoprotein receptor ligand targeting group.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand anda sense strand having the nucleotide sequences of any of the antisensestrand and/or sense strand nucleotide sequences of any of the duplexesof Table 5, and further comprises a targeting group selected from thegroup consisting of (PAZ), (NAG13), (NAG13)s, (NAG18), (NAG18)s,(NAG24), (NAG24)s, (NAG25), (NAG25)s, (NAG26), (NAG26)s. (NAG27),(NAG27)s, (NAG28), (NAG28)s, (NAG29), (NAG29)s, (NAG30), (NAG30)s,(NAG31), (NAG31)s, (NAG32), (NAG32)s, (NAG33), (NAG33)s, (NAG34),(NAG34)s, (NAG35), (NAG35)s, (NAG36), (NAG36)s, (NAG37), (NAG37)s.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand anda sense strand having the modified nucleotide sequences of any of theantisense strand and/or sense strand nucleotide sequences of any of theduplexes of Table 5.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises an antisense strand anda sense strand having the modified nucleotide sequences of any of theantisense strand and/or sense strand nucleotide sequences of any of theduplexes of Table 5, and further comprises an asialoglycoproteinreceptor ligand targeting group.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent comprises any of the duplexes ofTable 5.

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent consists of any of the duplexesof Table 5.

TABLE 5 Examples of HBV RNAi agent duplexes. Antisense Sense StrandDuplex ID Strand ID ID AD03498 AM03508-AS AM04445-SS AD03499 AM04441-ASAM04444-SS AD03500 AM04442-AS AM04444-SS AD03501 AM04443-AS AM04444-SSAD03738 AM04768-AS AM04767-SS AD03739 AM04769-AS AM04767-SS AD03967AM04443-AS AM05010-SS AD03968 AM05011-AS AM05010-SS AD03969 AM04443-ASAM05015-SS AD03970 AM05011-AS AM05019-SS AD03971 AM05012-AS AM05015-SSAD03972 AM04443-AS AM05016-SS AD03973 AM04443-AS AM05017-SS AD03974AM04443-AS AM05018-SS AD03975 AM05013-AS AM05015-SS AD03976 AM05014-ASAM05019-SS AD03977 AM05013-AS AM05017-SS AD03978 AM05013-AS AM04444-SSAD04001 AM05052-AS AM05034-SS AD04002 AM05053-AS AM05034-SS AD04003AM05054-AS AM05046-SS AD04004 AM05052-AS AM05047-SS AD04005 AM05055-ASAM05064-SS AD04006 AM05056-AS AM05048-SS AD04007 AM05057-AS AM05048-SSAD04008 AM05058-AS AM05049-SS AD04009 AM05056-AS AM05050-SS AD04010AM05060-AS AM05063-SS AD04176 AM05351-AS AM05346-SS AD04177 AM04443-ASAM05347-SS AD04178 AM05011-AS AM05347-SS AD04412 AM05011-AS AM05606-SSAD04413 AM05011-AS AM05607-SS AD04414 AM05608-AS AM05606-SS AD04415AM05011-AS AM05615-SS AD04416 AM05609-AS AM05616-SS AD04417 AM05610-ASAM05616-SS AD04418 AM05611-AS AM05616-SS AD04419 AM05612-AS AM05616-SSAD04420 AM05613-AS AM05616-SS AD04421 AM05614-AS AM05616-SS AD04422AM05054-AS AM05617-SS AD04423 AM05618-AS AM05046-SS AD04425 AM05621-ASAM05620-SS AD04426 AM05623-AS AM05622-SS AD04427 AM05623-AS AM05624-SSAD04428 AM05626-AS AM05622-SS AD04429 AM05626-AS AM05624-SS AD04430AM05628-AS AM05627-SS AD04431 AM05054-AS AM05629-SS AD04432 AM05054-ASAM05630-SS AD04433 AM05631-AS AM05048-SS AD04434 AM05632-AS AM05048-SSAD04435 AM05633-AS AM05048-SS AD04436 AM05635-AS AM05048-SS AD04437AM05634-AS AM05048-SS AD04438 AM05637-AS AM05636-SS AD04439 AM05638-ASAM05636-SS AD04440 AM05058-AS AM05639-SS AD04441 AM05057-AS AM05639-SSAD04442 AM05057-AS AM05640-SS AD04511 AM05747-AS AM05746-SS AD04570AM05011-AS AM05856-SS AD04571 AM05849-AS AM05856-SS AD04572 AM05850-ASAM05856-SS AD04573 AM05851-AS AM05857-SS AD04574 AM05852-AS AM05857-SSAD04575 AM05853-AS AM05858-SS AD04576 AM05854-AS AM05858-SS AD04577AM05011-AS AM05859-SS AD04578 AM05850-AS AM05858-SS AD04579 AM05014-ASAM05347-SS AD04580 AM05855-AS AM05347-SS AD04581 AM05860-AS AM05063-SSAD04583 AM05862-AS AM05868-SS AD04584 AM05863-AS AM05868-SS AD04585AM05864-AS AM05869-SS AD04586 AM05865-AS AM05869-SS AD04587 AM05862-ASAM05870-SS AD04588 AM05863-AS AM05871-SS AD04590 AM05867-AS AM05063-SSAD04591 AM05860-AS AM05872-SS AD04592 AM05054-AS AM05879-SS AD04593AM05873-AS AM05880-SS AD04594 AM05874-AS AM05880-SS AD04595 AM05875-ASAM05881-SS AD04596 AM05876-AS AM05881-SS AD04597 AM05873-AS AM05882-SSAD04598 AM05874-AS AM05883-SS AD04599 AM05877-AS AM05620-SS AD04734AM06074-AS AM05869-SS AD04771 AM06142-AS AM06146-SS AD04772 AM06143-ASAM06147-SS AD04773 AM06144-AS AM06146-SS AD04774 AM06145-AS AM06148-SSAD04775 AM06145-AS AM06149-SS AD04776 AM05850-AS AM06150-SS AD04777AM05854-AS AM06151-SS AD04778 AM05854-AS AM06152-SS AD04822 AM06222-ASAM06146-SS AD04823 AM05609-AS AM06150-SS AD04871 AM06281-AS AM06287-SSAD04872 AM06282-AS AM06288-SS AD04873 AM06283-AS AM06288-SS AD04874AM06284-AS AM06289-SS AD04875 AM06285-AS AM06290-SS AD04876 AM06286-ASAM06291-SS AD04881 AM06299-AS AM06304-SS AD04882 AM06300-AS AM06305-SSAD04883 AM06301-AS AM06306-SS AD04884 AM06302-AS AM06307-SS AD04885AM06303-AS AM06308-SS AD04962 AM05864-AS AM06146-SS AD04963 AM05855-ASAM05607-SS AD04981 AM06463-AS AM06150-SS AD04982 AM06464-AS AM06150-SSAD04983 AM06465-AS AM06150-SS AD05069 AM06604-AS AM06603-SS AD05070AM06606-AS AM06605-SS AD05071 AM06608-AS AM06607-SS AD05072 AM05011-ASAM06609-SS AD05073 AM06611-AS AM06610-SS AD05074 AM06612-AS AM06150-SSAD05075 AM06614-AS AM06613-SS AD05076 AM06616-AS AM06615-SS AD05077AM06618-AS AM06617-SS AD05078 AM06620-AS AM06619-SS AD05147 AM06751-ASAM06750-SS AD05148 AM06606-AS AM06752-SS AD05149 AM06751-AS AM06753-SSAD05164 AM06282-AS AM06776-SS AD05165 AM06606-AS AM06777-SS

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent is prepared or provided as asalt, mixed salt, or a free-acid. The RNAi agents described herein, upondelivery to a cell expressing an HBV gene, inhibit or knockdownexpression of one or more HBV genes in vivo.

Targeting Groups, Linking Groups, and Delivery Vehicles

In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent is conjugated to one or morenon-nucleotide groups including, but not limited to a targeting group,linking group, delivery polymer, or a delivery vehicle. Thenon-nucleotide group can enhance targeting, delivery or attachment ofthe RNAi agent. Examples of targeting groups and linking groups areprovided in Table 6. The non-nucleotide group can be covalently linkedto the 3′ and/or 5′ end of either the sense strand and/or the antisensestrand. In some embodiments, an HBV RNAi agent contains a non-nucleotidegroup linked to the 3′ and/or 5′ end of the sense strand. In someembodiments, a non-nucleotide group is linked to the 5′ end of an HBVRNAi agent sense strand. A non-nucleotide group may be linked directlyor indirectly to the RNAi agent via a linker/linking group. In someembodiments, a non-nucleotide group is linked to the RNAi agent via alabile, cleavable, or reversible bond or linker.

In some embodiments, a non-nucleotide group enhances the pharmacokineticor biodistribution properties of an RNAi agent or conjugate to which itis attached to improve cell- or tissue-specific distribution andcell-specific uptake of the conjugate. In some embodiments, anon-nucleotide group enhances endocytosis of the RNAi agent.

Targeting groups or targeting moieties enhance the pharmacokinetic orbiodistribution properties of a conjugate to which they are attached toimprove cell-specific distribution and cell-specific uptake of theconjugate. A targeting group can be monovalent, divalent, trivalent,tetravalent, or have higher valency. Representative targeting groupsinclude, without limitation, compounds with affinity to cell surfacemolecule, cell receptor ligands, hapten, antibodies, monoclonalantibodies, antibody fragments, and antibody mimics with affinity tocell surface molecules. In some embodiments, a targeting group is linkedto an RNAi agent using a linker, such as a PEG linker or one, two, orthree abasic and/or ribitol (abasic ribose) groups. In some embodiments,a targeting group comprises a galactose derivative cluster.

The HBV RNAi agents described herein may be synthesized having areactive group, such as an amine group, at the 5′-terminus. The reactivegroup may be used to subsequently attach a targeting moiety usingmethods typical in the art.

In some embodiments, a targeting group comprises an asialoglycoproteinreceptor ligand. In some embodiments, an asialoglycoprotein receptorligand includes or consists of one or more galactose derivatives. Asused herein, the term galactose derivative includes both galactose andderivatives of galactose having affinity for the asialoglycoproteinreceptor that is equal to or greater than that of galactose. Galactosederivatives include, but are not limited to: galactose, galactosamine,N-formylgalactosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine,N-propionyl-galactosamine, N-n-butanoyl-galactosamine, andN-iso-butanoylgalactos-amine (see for example: Iobst, S. T. andDrickamer, K. J.B.C. 1996, 271, 6686). Galactose derivatives, andclusters of galactose derivatives, that are useful for in vivo targetingof oligonucleotides and other molecules to the liver are known in theart (see, for example, Baenziger and Fiete, 1980, Cell, 22, 611-620;Connolly et al., 1982, J. Biol. Chem., 257, 939-945). Galactosederivatives have been used to target molecules to hepatocytes in vivothrough their binding to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPr)expressed on the surface of hepatocytes. Binding of ASGPr ligands to theASGPr(s) facilitates cell-specific targeting to hepatocytes andendocytosis of the molecule into hepatocytes. ASGPr ligands can bemonomeric (e.g., having a single galactose derivative) or multimeric(e.g., having multiple galactose derivatives). The galactose derivativeor galactose derivative cluster may be attached to the 3′ or 5′ end ofthe RNAi polynucleotide using methods known in the art. The preparationof targeting groups, such as galactose derivative clusters, is describedin, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/452,324 and15/452,423, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety.

As used herein, a galactose derivative cluster comprises a moleculehaving two to four terminal galactose derivatives. A terminal galactosederivative is attached to a molecule through its C-1 carbon. In someembodiments, the galactose derivative cluster is a galactose derivativetrimer (also referred to as tri-antennary galactose derivative ortri-valent galactose derivative). In some embodiments, the galactosederivative cluster comprises N-acetyl-galactosamines. In someembodiments, the galactose derivative cluster comprises threeN-acetyl-galactosamines. In some embodiments, the galactose derivativecluster is a galactose derivative tetramer (also referred to astetra-antennary galactose derivative or tetra-valent galactosederivative). In some embodiments, the galactose derivative clustercomprises four N-acetyl-galactosamines.

As used herein, a galactose derivative trimer contains three galactosederivatives, each linked to a central branch point. As used herein, agalactose derivative tetramer contains four galactose derivatives, eachlinked to a central branch point. The galactose derivatives can beattached to the central branch point through the C-1 carbons of thesaccharides. In some embodiments, the galactose derivatives are linkedto the branch point via linkers or spacers. In some embodiments, thelinker or spacer is a flexible hydrophilic spacer, such as a PEG group(see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,968; Biessen et al. J. Med. Chem1995 Vol. 39 p. 1538-1546). In some embodiments, the PEG spacer is aPEG₃ spacer. The branch point can be any small molecule which permitsattachment of three galactose derivatives and further permits attachmentof the branch point to the RNAi agent. An example of branch point groupis a di-lysine or di-glutamate. Attachment of the branch point to theRNAi agent can occur through a linker or spacer. In some embodiments,the linker or spacer comprises a flexible hydrophilic spacer, such as,but not limited to, a PEG spacer. In some embodiments, the linkercomprises a rigid linker, such as a cyclic group. In some embodiments, agalactose derivative comprises or consists of N-acetyl-galactosamine. Insome embodiments, the galactose derivative cluster is comprised of agalactose derivative tetramer, which can be, for example, anN-acetyl-galactosamine tetramer.

In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions for delivering an HBVRNAi agent to a liver cell in vivo are described. Such pharmaceuticalcompositions can include, for example, an HBV RNAi agent conjugated to agalactose derivative cluster. In some embodiments, the galactosederivative cluster is comprised of a galactose derivative trimer, whichcan be, for example, an N-acetyl-galactosamine trimer, or galactosederivative tetramer, which can be, for example, anN-acetyl-galactosamine tetramer.

Targeting groups include, but are not limited to, (PAZ), (NAG13),(NAG13)s, (NAG18), (NAG18)s, (NAG24), (NAG24)s, (NAG25), (NAG25)s,(NAG26), (NAG26)s, (NAG27), (NAG27)s, (NAG28), (NAG28)s, (NAG29),(NAG29)s, (NAG30). (NAG30)s, (NAG31), (NAG31)s, (NAG32), (NAG32)s,(NAG33), (NAG33)s, (NAG34), (NAG34)s, (NAG35), (NAG35)s, (NAG36),(NAG36)s, (NAG37), (NAG37)s, (NAG38), (NAG38)s, (NAG39), and (NAG39)s.Other targeting groups, including galactose cluster targeting ligands,are known in the art.

In some embodiments, a linking group is conjugated to the RNAi agent.The linking group facilitates covalent linkage of the agent to atargeting group or delivery polymer or delivery vehicle. The linkinggroup can be linked to the 3′ or the 5′ end of the RNAi agent sensestrand or antisense strand. In some embodiments, the linking group islinked to the RNAi agent sense strand. In some embodiments, the linkinggroup is conjugated to the 5′ or 3′ end of an RNAi agent sense strand.In some embodiments, a linking group is conjugated to the 5′ end of anRNAi agent sense strand. Examples of linking groups, include, but arenot limited to: reactive groups such a primary amines and alkynes, alkylgroups, abasic nucleosides, ribitol (abasic ribose), and/or PEG groups.

A linker or linking group is a connection between two atoms that linksone chemical group (such as an RNAi agent) or segment of interest toanother chemical group (such as a targeting group or delivery polymer)or segment of interest via one or more covalent bonds. A labile linkagecontains a labile bond. A linkage may optionally include a spacer thatincreases the distance between the two joined atoms. A spacer mayfurther add flexibility and/or length to the linkage. Spacers mayinclude, but are not be limited to, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups,alkynyl groups, aryl groups, aralkyl groups, aralkenyl groups, andaralkynyl groups; each of which can contain one or more heteroatoms,heterocycles, amino acids, nucleotides, and saccharides. Spacer groupsare well known in the art and the preceding list is not meant to limitthe scope of the description.

Any of the HBV RNAi agent nucleotide sequences listed in Tables 3 and 4,whether modified or unmodified, may contain 3′ or 5′ targeting groupand/or linking group. Any of the HBV RNAi agent sequences listed inTable 3 and 4 which contain a 3′ or 5′ targeting group and/or linkinggroup, may alternatively contain no 3′ or 5′ targeting group and/orlinking group, or may contain a different 3′ or 5′ targeting groupand/or linking group including, but not limited to, those depicted inTable 3. Any of the HBV RNAi agent duplexes listed in Table 5, whethermodified or unmodified, may further comprise a targeting group and/orlinking group, including, but not limited to, those depicted in Table 3,and the targeting group or linking group may be attached to the 3′ or 5′terminus of either the sense strand or the antisense strand of the HBVRNAi agent duplex.

Examples of targeting groups and linking groups are provided in Table 6.Table 4 provides several embodiments of HBV RNAi agent sense strandshaving a targeting group or linking group linked to the 5′ or 3′ end.

TABLE 6 Structures representing various modified nucleotides, targetinggroups, and linking groups.

When positioned internally on oligonucleotide:

When positioned internally on oligonucleotide:

When positioned at the 3′ terminal end of oligonucleotide:

(NAG13)

(NAG13)s

(NAG18)

(NAG18)s

(NAG24)

(NAG24)s

(NAG25)

(NAG25)s

(NAG26)

(NAG26)s

(NAG27)

(NAG27)s

(NAG28)

(NAG28)s

(NAG29)

(NAG29)s

(NAG30)

(NAG30)s

(NAG31)

(NAG31)s

(NAG32)

(NAG32)s

(NAG33)

(NAG33)s

(NAG34)

(NAG34)s

(NAG35)

(NAG35)s

(NAG36)

(NAG36)s

(NAG37)

(NAG37)s

(NAG38)

(NAG38)s

(NAG39)

(NAG39)s

In each of the above structures in Table 6, NAG comprises anN-acetyl-galactosamine or another ASGPr ligand, as would be understoodby a person of ordinary skill in the art to be attached in view of thestructures above and description provided herein. For example, in someembodiments, NAG in the structures provided in Table 6 is represented bythe following structure:

Each (NAGx) may be attached to an HBV RNAi agent via a phosphate group(as in (NAG25), (NAG30), and (NAG31)), or a phosphorothioate group, (asis (NAG25)s, (NAG29)s, (NAG30)s, (NAG31)s, or (NAG37)s), or anotherlinking group.

Other linking groups known m the art may be use.

Delivery Vehicles

In some embodiments, a delivery vehicle may be used to deliver an RNAiagent to a cell or tissue. A delivery vehicle is a compound thatimproves delivery of the RNAi agent to a cell or tissue. A deliveryvehicle can include, or consist of, but is not limited to: a polymer,such as an amphipathic polymer, a membrane active polymer, a peptide, amelittin peptide, a melittin-like peptide (MLP), a lipid, a reversiblymodified polymer or peptide, or a reversibly modified membrane activepolyamine.

In some embodiments, the RNAi agents can be combined with lipids,nanoparticles, polymers, liposomes, micelles, DPCs or other deliverysystems available in the art. The RNAi agents can also be chemicallyconjugated to targeting groups, lipids (including, but not limited tocholesterol and cholesteryl derivatives), nanoparticles, polymers,liposomes, micelles, DPCs (see, for example WO 2000/053722, WO2008/0022309, WO 2011/104169, and WO 2012/083185, WO 2013/032829, WO2013/158141, each of which is incorporated herein by reference), orother delivery systems available in the art.

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Formulations

The HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein may be prepared as pharmaceuticalcompositions or formulations. In some embodiments, pharmaceuticalcompositions include at least one HBV RNAi agent. These pharmaceuticalcompositions are particularly useful in the inhibition of the expressionof the target mRNA in a target cell, a group of cells, a tissue, or anorganism. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat a subjecthaving a disease or disorder that would benefit from reduction in thelevel of the target mRNA, or inhibition in expression of the targetgene. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat a subject atrisk of developing a disease or disorder that would benefit fromreduction of the level of the target mRNA or an inhibition in expressionthe target gene. In one embodiment, the method includes administering anHBV RNAi agent linked to a targeting ligand as described herein, to asubject to be treated. In some embodiments, one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients (including vehicles, carriers, diluents, and/ordelivery polymers) are added to the pharmaceutical compositionsincluding an HBV RNAi agent, thereby forming a pharmaceuticalformulation suitable for in vivo delivery to a human.

The pharmaceutical compositions that include an HBV RNAi agent andmethods disclosed herein may decrease the level of the target mRNA in acell, group of cells, group of cells, tissue, or subject, including:administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of aherein described HBV RNAi agent, thereby inhibiting the expression of atarget mRNA in the subject.

In some embodiments, the described pharmaceutical compositions includingan HBV RNAi agent are used for treating or managing clinicalpresentations associated with HBV infection. In some embodiments, atherapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of one or more ofpharmaceutical compositions is administered to a subject in need of suchtreatment, prevention or management. In some embodiments, administrationof any of the disclosed HBV RNAi agents can be used to decrease thenumber, severity, and/or frequency of symptoms of a disease in asubject.

The described pharmaceutical compositions including an HBV RNAi agentcan be used to treat at least one symptom in a subject having a diseaseor disorder that would benefit from reduction or inhibition inexpression of HBV mRNA. In some embodiments, the subject is administereda therapeutically effective amount of one or more pharmaceuticalcompositions including an HBV RNAi agent thereby treating the symptom.In other embodiments, the subject is administered a prophylacticallyeffective amount of one or more HBV RNAi agents, thereby preventing theat least one symptom.

The route of administration is the path by which an HBV RNAi agent isbrought into contact with the body. In general, methods of administeringdrugs and nucleic acids for treatment of a mammal are well known in theart and can be applied to administration of the compositions describedherein. The HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein can be administered via anysuitable route in a preparation appropriately tailored to the particularroute. Thus, herein described pharmaceutical compositions can beadministered by injection, for example, intravenously, intramuscularly,intracutaneously, subcutaneously, intraarticularly, orintraperitoneally. In some embodiments, there herein describedpharmaceutical compositions via subcutaneous injection.

The pharmaceutical compositions including an HBV RNAi agent describedherein can be delivered to a cell, group of cells, tumor, tissue, orsubject using oligonucleotide delivery technologies known in the art. Ingeneral, any suitable method recognized in the art for delivering anucleic acid molecule (in vitro or in vivo) can be adapted for use witha herein described compositions. For example, delivery can be by localadministration, (e.g., direct injection, implantation, or topicaladministering), systemic administration, or subcutaneous, intravenous,intraperitoneal, or parenteral routes, including intracranial (e.g.,intraventricular, intraparenchymal and intrathecal), intramuscular,transdermal, airway (aerosol), nasal, oral, rectal, or topical(including buccal and sublingual) administration. In certainembodiments, the compositions are administered by subcutaneous orintravenous infusion or injection.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the herein described pharmaceuticalcompositions may comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein can be formulated for administration to a subject.

As used herein, a pharmaceutical composition or medicament includes apharmacologically effective amount of at least one of the describedtherapeutic compounds and one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (excipients) aresubstances other than the Active Pharmaceutical ingredient (API,therapeutic product, e.g., HBV RNAi agent) that are intentionallyincluded in the drug delivery system. Excipients do not exert or are notintended to exert a therapeutic effect at the intended dosage.Excipients may act to a) aid in processing of the drug delivery systemduring manufacture, b) protect, support or enhance stability,bioavailability or patient acceptability of the API, c) assist inproduct identification, and/or d) enhance any other attribute of theoverall safety, effectiveness, of delivery of the API during storage oruse. A pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may or may not be an inertsubstance.

Excipients include, but are not limited to: absorption enhancers,anti-adherents, anti-foaming agents, anti-oxidants, binders, bufferingagents, carriers, coating agents, colors, delivery enhancers, deliverypolymers, dextran, dextrose, diluents, disintegrants, emulsifiers,extenders, fillers, flavors, glidants, humectants, lubricants, oils,polymers, preservatives, saline, salts, solvents, sugars, suspendingagents, sustained release matrices, sweeteners, thickening agents,tonicity agents, vehicles, water-repelling agents, and wetting agents.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterileaqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterilepowders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectablesolutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitablecarriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, CremophorELTM (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline. It should bestable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and should bepreserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such asbacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion mediumcontaining, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol,propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol), and suitable mixturesthereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the useof a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the requiredparticle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants.In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, forexample, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, and sodiumchloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectablecompositions can be brought about by including in the composition anagent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate andgelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the activecompound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or acombination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed byfilter sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared byincorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which containsa basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from thoseenumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation ofsterile injectable solutions, methods of preparation include vacuumdrying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredientplus any additional desired ingredient from a previouslysterile-filtered solution thereof.

Formulations suitable for intra-articular administration can be in theform of a sterile aqueous preparation of the drug that can be inmicrocrystalline form, for example, in the form of an aqueousmicrocrystalline suspension. Liposomal formulations or biodegradablepolymer systems can also be used to present the drug for bothintra-articular and ophthalmic administration.

The active compounds can be prepared with carriers that will protect thecompound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlledrelease formulation, including implants and microencapsulated deliverysystems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such asethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen,polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of suchformulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Liposomalsuspensions can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in theart, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

The HBV RNAi agents can be formulated in compositions in dosage unitform for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unitform refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages forthe subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantityof active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effectin association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Thespecification for the dosage unit forms of the disclosure are dictatedby and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the activecompound and the therapeutic effect to be achieved, and the limitationsinherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for thetreatment of individuals.

A pharmaceutical composition can contain other additional componentscommonly found in pharmaceutical compositions. Such additionalcomponents include, but are not limited to: anti-pruritics, astringents,local anesthetics, or anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., antihistamine,diphenhydramine, etc.). It is also envisioned that cells, tissues orisolated organs that express or comprise the herein defined RNAi agentsmay be used as “pharmaceutical compositions.” As used herein,“pharmacologically effective amount,” “therapeutically effectiveamount,” or simply “effective amount” refers to that amount of an RNAiagent to produce a pharmacological, therapeutic or preventive result.

Generally, an effective amount of an active compound will be in therange of from about 0.1 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight/day, e.g.,from about 1.0 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight/day. In someembodiments, an effective amount of an active compound will be in therange of from about 0.25 to about 5 mg/kg of body weight per dose. Insome embodiments, an effective amount of an active ingredient will be inthe range of from about 0.5 to about 3 mg/kg of body weight per dose.The amount administered will also likely depend on such variables as theoverall health status of the patient, the relative biological efficacyof the compound delivered, the formulation of the drug, the presence andtypes of excipients in the formulation, and the route of administration.Also, it is to be understood that the initial dosage administered can beincreased beyond the above upper level in order to rapidly achieve thedesired blood-level or tissue level, or the initial dosage can besmaller than the optimum.

For treatment of disease or for formation of a medicament or compositionfor treatment of a disease, the pharmaceutical compositions describedherein including an HBV RNAi agent can be combined with an excipient orwith a second therapeutic agent or treatment including, but not limitedto: a second or other RNAi agent, a small molecule drug, an antibody, anantibody fragment, and/or a vaccine.

The described HBV RNAi agents, when added to pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients or adjuvants, can be packaged into kits, containers, packs,or dispensers. The pharmaceutical compositions described herein may bepackaged in pre-filled syringes or vials.

Methods of Treatment and Inhibition of Expression

The HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein can be used to treat a subject(e.g., a human or mammal) having a disease or disorder that wouldbenefit from administration of the compound. In some embodiments, theRNAi agents disclosed herein can be used to treat a subject (e.g., ahuman) having a disease or disorder that would benefit from reduction orinhibition in expression of HBV mRNA. The subject is administered atherapeutically effective amount of any one or more RNAi agents. Thesubject can be a human, patient, or human patient. The subject may be anadult, adolescent, child, or infant. The described pharmaceuticalcompositions including an HBV RNAi agent can be used to provide methodsfor the therapeutic treatment of diseases. Such methods includeadministration of a pharmaceutical composition described herein to ahuman being or animal.

In some embodiments, the HBV RNAi agents described herein are used totreat a subject infected with HBV. In some embodiments, the describedHBV RNAi agents are used to treat at least one symptom in a subjecthaving a HBV infection. The subject is administered a therapeuticallyeffective amount of any one or more of the described RNAi agents.

In some embodiments, the subject has both a HBV infection and a HDVinfection. In some embodiments, the HBV RNAi agents described herein areused to treat a subject infected with both HBV and HDV. In someembodiments, the described HBV RNAi agents are used to treat at leastone symptom in a subject having a HBV or a HDV infection. The subject isadministered a therapeutically effective amount of any one or more ofthe described RNAi agents.

In some embodiments, the HBV RNAi agents are used to treat or manage aclinical presentation wherein a subject infected with HBV. The subjectis administered a therapeutically or effective amount of one or more ofthe HBV RNAi agents or HBV RNAi agent-containing compositions describedherein. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering acomposition comprising an HBV RNAi agent described herein to a subjectto be treated.

In some embodiments, the gene expression level and/or mRNA level of anHBV gene in a subject to whom a described HBV RNAi agent is administeredis reduced by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, orgreater than 99% relative to the subject prior to being administered theHBV RNAi agent or to a subject not receiving the HBV RNAi agent. Thegene expression level and/or mRNA level in the subject may be reduced ina cell, group of cells, and/or tissue of the subject. In someembodiments, the expressed protein level of an HBV gene in a subject towhom a described HBV RNAi agent has been administered is reduced by atleast about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%/a, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%,65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or greater than99% relative to the subject prior to being administered the HBV RNAiagent or to a subject not receiving the HBV RNAi agent. The proteinlevel in the subject may be reduced in a cell, group of cells, tissue,blood, and/or other fluid of the subject. For example, in someembodiments, the amount or level of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)in a subject to whom a described HBV RNAi agent has been administered isreduced by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, orgreater than 99% relative to the subject prior to being administered theHBV RNAi agent or to a subject not receiving the HBV RNAi agent. In someembodiments, the amount or level of Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) in asubject to whom a described HBV RNAi agent has been administered isreduced by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, orgreater than 99% relative to the subject prior to being administered theHBV RNAi agent or to a subject not receiving the HBV RNAi agent. In someembodiments, the amount or level of serum HBV DNA in a subject to whom adescribed HBV RNAi agent has been administered is reduced by at leastabout 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or greater than 99%relative to the subject prior to being administered the HBV RNAi agentor to a subject not receiving the HBV RNAi agent. A reduction in thepresence of serum HBV DNA, HBV gene expression, HBV mRNA, or HBV proteinamounts or levels may be assessed by methods known in the art. Reductionor decrease in HBV mRNA amount or level, expressed protein amount orlevel, and/or serum HBV DNA amount or level, are collectively referredto herein as a reduction or decrease in HBV or inhibiting or reducingthe expression of HBV.

Cells and Tissues and Non-Human Organisms

Cells, tissues, and non-human organisms that include at least one of theHBV RNAi agents described herein is contemplated. The cell, tissue, ornon-human organism is made by delivering the RNAi agent to the cell,tissue, or non-human organism.

The above provided embodiments and items are now illustrated with thefollowing, non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Synthesis of HBV RNAi Agents

HBV RNAi agent duplexes shown in Table 5 were synthesized in accordancewith the following:

A. Synthesis.

The sense and antisense strands of the HBV RNAi agents were synthesizedaccording to phosphoramidite technology on solid phase used inoligonucleotide synthesis. Depending on the scale, either a MerMade96E®(Bioautomation), a MerMadel2® (Bioautomation), or an OP Pilot 100 (GEHealthcare) was used. Syntheses were performed on a solid support madeof controlled pore glass (CPG, 500 Å or 600 Å, obtained from PrimeSynthesis, Aston, Pa., USA). All RNA and 2′-modified phosphoramiditeswere purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee, Wis., USA).Specifically, the following 2′-O-methyl phosphoramidites were used:(5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N⁶-(benzoyl)-2′-O-methyl-adenosine-3′-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino)phosphoramidite,5′-O-dimethoxy-trityl-N⁴-(acetyl)-2′-O-methyl-cytidine-3′-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl-amino)phosphoramidite,(5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N²-(isobutyryl)-2′-O-methyl-guanosine-3′-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino)phosphoramidite, and5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-uridine-3′-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino)phosphoramidite. The 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-phosphoramidites carried thesame protecting groups as the 2′-O-methyl amidites. The abasic(3′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxyribose-5′-O-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino)phosphoranidites were purchased from ChemGenes (Wilmington, Mass., USA).Targeting ligand containing phosphoramidites were dissolved in anhydrousdichloromethane or anhydrous acetonitrile (50 mM), while all otheramidites were dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (50 mM) and molecularsieves (3 Å) were added. 5-Benzylthio-1H-tetrazole (BIT, 250 mM inacetonitrile) or 5-Ethylthio-1H-tetrazole (EIT, 250 mM in acetonitrile)was used as activator solution. Coupling times were 12 min (RNA), 15 min(targeting ligand), 90 sec (2′OMe), and 60 sec (2′F). In order tointroduce phosphorothioate linkages, a 100 mM solution of 3-phenyl1,2,4-dithiazoline-5-one (POS, obtained from PolyOrg, Inc., Leominster,Mass., USA) in anhydrous Acetonitrile was employed.

B. Cleavage and Deprotection of Support Bound Oligomer.

After finalization of the solid phase synthesis, the dried solid supportwas treated with a 1:1 volume solution of 40 wt. % methylamine in waterand 28% ammonium hydroxide solution (Aldrich) for 1.5 hours at 30° C.The solution was evaporated and the solid residue was reconstituted inwater (see below).

C. Purification.

Crude oligomers were purified by anionic exchange HPLC using a TSKgelSuperQ-5PW 131 μm column and Shimadzu LC-8 system. Buffer A was 20 mMTris, 5 mM EDTA, pH 9.0 and contained 20% Acetonitrile and buffer B wasthe same as buffer A with the addition of 1.5 M sodium chloride. UVtraces at 260 nm were recorded. Appropriate fractions were pooled thenrun on size exclusion HPLC using a GE Healthcare XK 26/40 column packedwith Sephadex G-25 fine with a running buffer of filtered DI water or100 mM ammonium bicarbonate, pH 6.7 and 20% Acetonitrile.

D. Annealing.

Complementary strands were mixed by combining equimolar RNA solutions(sense and antisense) in 1× Phosphate-Buffered Saline (Corning, Cellgro)to form the RNAi agents. Some RNAi agents were lyophilized and stored at−15 to −25° C. Duplex concentration was determined by measuring thesolution absorbance on a UV-Vis spectrometer in 1× Phosphate-BufferedSaline. The solution absorbance at 260 nm was then multiplied by aconversion factor and the dilution factor to determine the duplexconcentration. Unless otherwise stated, all conversion factor was 0.037mg/(mL·cm). For some experiments, a conversion factor was calculatedfrom an experimentally determined extinction coefficient.

Example 2 pHBV Modelmice

Six to eight-week-old female NOD.CB17-Prkdscid/NcrCrl (NOD-SCID) micewere transiently transfected in vivo with MC-HBV1.3 by hydrodynamic tailvein injection (Yang P L et al. “Hydrodynamic injection of viral DNA: amouse model of acute hepatitis B virus infection,” PNAS USA 2002 Vol.99: p. 13825-13830), administered 30 to 45 days prior to administrationof an HBV RNAi agent or control. MC-HBV1.3 is a plasmid-derivedminicircle that contains the same terminally redundant human hepatitis Bvirus sequence HBV1.3 as in plasmid pHBV1.3 and in the HBV1.3.32transgenic mice (GenBank accession # V01460) (Guidotti L G et al.,“High-level hepatitis B virus replication in transgenic mice,” J Virol1995 Vol. 69, p 6158-6169.). 5 or 10 μg MC-HBV1.3 in Ringer's Solutionin a total volume of 10% of the animal's body weight was injected intomice via tail vein to create pHBV model of chronic HBV infection. Thesolution was injected through a 27-gauge needle in 5-7 seconds aspreviously described (Zhang G et al., “High levels of foreign geneexpression in hepatocytes after tail vein injection of naked plasmidDNA.” Human Gene Therapy 1999 Vol. 10, p 1735-1737.). At pre-dose(either day 1 pre-dose, day −1, or day −2), Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) HBsAg expression levels in serum were measured by ELISA and themice were grouped according to average HBsAg expression levels.

Analyses:

At various times, before and after administration of HBV RNAi agents,serum HBsAg, serum HBeAg, serum HBV DNA, or liver HBV RNA may bemeasured. HBV expression levels were normalized to pre-administrationexpression levels and to control mice injected with phosphate bufferedsaline (“PBS”).

i) Serum Collection:

Mice were anesthetized with 2-3% isoflurane and blood samples werecollected from the submandibular area into serum separation tubes(Sarstedt AG & Co., Nümbrecht, Germany). Blood was allowed to coagulateat ambient temperature for 20 min. The tubes were centrifuged at 8,000×gfor 3 min to separate the serum and stored at 4° C.

ii) Serum Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Levels:

Serum was collected and diluted 10 to 8000-fold in PBS containing 5%nonfat dry milk. Secondary HBsAg standards diluted in the nonfat milksolution were prepared from serum of ICR mice (Harlan Sprague Dawley)that had been transfected with 10 μg HBsAg-expressing plasmidpRc/CMV-HBs (Aldevron, Fargo, N. Dak.). HBsAg levels were determinedwith a GS HBsAg EIA 3.0 kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Redmond, Wash.)as described by the manufacturer. Recombinant HBsAg protein, aywsubtype, also diluted in nonfat milk in PBS, was used as a primarystandard (Aldevron).

HBsAg expression for each animal was normalized to the control group ofmice injected with PBS in order to account for the non-treatment relateddecline in expression of MC-HBV1.3. First, the HBsAg level for eachanimal at a time point was divided by the pre-treatment level ofexpression in that animal in order to determine the ratio of expression“normalized to pre-treatment”. Expression at a specific time point wasthen normalized to the control group by dividing the “normalized topre-treatment” ratio for an individual animal by the average “normalizedto pre-treatment” ratio of all mice in the normal PBS control group.

iii) Serum Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg) Levels:

HBeAg analysis was performed with the HBeAg enzyme linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) as described by the manufacturer (DiaSorin) using serumdiluted 4- to 20-fold in 5% nonfat dry milk. The amount of antigen wasdetermined in the linear range of the assay and quantitated againstHBeAg protein standards (Fitzgerald Industries International, catalog#30-AH18, Acton, Mass.).

HBeAg expression for each animal was normalized to the control group ofmice injected with PBS in order to account for the non-treatment relateddecline in expression of MC-HBV1.3. For evaluation of HBeAg in serum,HBeAg is analyzed from pooled group or subgroup serum samples. First,the HBeAg level for each pooled group or subgroup was divided by thepre-treatment level of expression in the same group or subgroup in orderto determine the ratio of expression “normalized to pre-treatment”.Expression at a specific time point was then normalized to the controlgroup by dividing the “normalized to pre-treatment” ratio for a group orsubgroup by the average “normalized to pre-treatment” ratio of allsamples from the normal PBS control group.

iv) Serum HBVDNA Levels:

Equal volumes of serum from mice in a group or subgroup were pooled to afinal volume of 100 μL. DNA was isolated from serum samples using theQIAamp MinElute Virus Spin Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) following themanufacturer's instructions. Sterile 0.9% saline was added to eachsample to a final volume of 200 μL. Serum samples were added to tubescontaining buffer and protease. Carrier RNA was added to aid in theisolation of small amounts of DNA. 1 ng of pHCR/UbC-SEAP plasmid DNA(Wooddell C I, et al. “Long-term RNA interference from optimized siRNAexpression constructs in adult mice.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun (2005)334, 117-127) was added as a recovery control. After incubating 15 minat 56° C., nucleic acids were precipitated from the lysates with ethanoland the entire solution applied to a column. After washing, the sampleswere eluted into a volume of 50 μL Buffer AVE.

The number of copies of HBV genomes in DNA isolated from the pHBV mousemodel serum was determined by qPCR. Plasmid pSEAP-HBV353-777, encoding ashort segment of the HBV genome within the S gene (bases 353-777 ofGenBank accession # V01460), was used to create a six log standardcurve. Samples with recovery of DNA below 2 standard deviations from theaverage, based on detection of pHCRIUbC-SEAP were omitted. TaqManchemistry-based primers and probes with fluor/ZEN/IBFQ are utilized.

qPCR assays were performed on a 7500 Fast or StepOne Plus Real-Time PCRsystem (Life Technologies). For evaluation of HBV DNA in serum, DNA wasisolated from singlet or duplicate purification steps from pooled groupserum samples. Quantitations of HBV DNA and recovery control plasmidwere determined by qPCR reactions performed in triplicate. The probes toquantitate HBV and pHCR/UbC-SEAP were included in each reaction.

Example 3. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Model Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. At day 1,each mouse was administered a single subcutaneous injection of 200 μlcontaining 2 mg/kg (mpk) of an HBV RNAi agent formulated in phosphatebuffered saline (“PBS”), or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline withoutan HBV RNAi agent, to be used as a control. Each of the HBV RNAi agentsincluded N-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the5′-terminal end of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The HBVRNAi agents tested included those having the duplex numbers shown inTable 7, below. The injections were performed between the skin andmuscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections) into the loose skin over the neckand shoulder area. Three (3) mice in each group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day 8, day 15, day 22, and day 29, and serumHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant tothe procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data from the experiment isshown in the following Table:

TABLE 7 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBS controlin pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 3(standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day29 PBS 1.000 ± 0.185 1.000 ± 0.288 1.000 ± 0.540 1.000 ± 0.326 AD041780.164 ± 0.043 0.206 ± 0.044 0.293 ± 0.050 0.348 ± 0.099 AD04579 0.083 ±0.028 0.099 ± 0.022 0.112 ± 0.022 0.138 ± 0.056 AD04580 0.048 ± 0.0070.073 ± 0.012 0.085 ± 0.012 0.126 ± 0.014 AD04570 0.241 ± 0.076 0.294 ±0.071 0.276 ± 0.068 0.474 ± 0.092 AD04572 0.190 ± 0.040 0.279 ± 0.0110.323 ± 0.049 0.441 ± 0.046 AD04573 0.333 ± 0.143 0.505 ± 0.106 0.361 ±0.060 0.444 ± 0.068 AD04574 0.291 ± 0.032 0.650 ± 0.056 0.388 ± 0.0480.485 ± 0.070 AD04575 0.397 ± 0.189 0.514 ± 0.234 0.574 ± 0.204 0.689 ±0.207 AD04419 0.262 ± 0.038 0.174 ± 0.042 0.258 ± 0.064 0.311 ± 0.089AD04578 0.210 ± 0.056 0.235 ± 0.033 0.298 ± 0.035 0.336 ± 0.049

RNAi agents AD04178, AD04579, AD04580, AD04570, AD04572, AD04573,AD04574, AD04575, AD04419, and AD04578 were each designed to haveantisense strand sequences at least partially complementary to the Xopen reading frame at positions 1781-1789 of the HBV genome shown inTables 1 and 2, above. Each of the HBV RNAi agents showed substantialreduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS control across all measuredtime points. For example, AD04580 showed greater than 95% reduction ins-antigen levels at day 8 (0.048±0.007 HBsAg level) when normalized topre-treatment and PBS control.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for the PBS, AD04579,and AD04580 groups from serum samples collected on days 8, 15, 22, 29,36, 43 and 50, pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above.Serum from each group was pooled and then DNA was isolated from theserum in duplicate isolations. Data are presented in the followingTable:

TABLE 8 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 3 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 Day 29 PBS 1.0000 ± 0.1185 1.0000 ± 0.0591 1.0000 ± 0.0322 1.0000± 0.0597 AD04579 0.1541 ± 0.0070 0.1776 ± 0.0027 0.1810 ± 0.0450 0.3738± 0.0302 AD04580 0.0921 ± 0.0253 0.0869 ± 0.0117 0.1444 ± 0.0755 0.0950± 0.0026 Group Day 36 Day 43 Day 50 PBS 1.0000 ± 0.1625 1.0000 ± 0.00551.0000 ± 0.1484 AD04579 0.9670 ± 0.1247 0.7643 ± 0.1334 0.6299 ± 0.1319AD04580 0.4949 ± 0.0096 0.4350 ± 0.0344 0.6819 ± 0.0266

The data in Table 8 indicate that both RNAi agents examined provided asubstantial reduction in HBV DNA levels compared to the PBS group, withAD04580 achieving slightly greater than 1 log knockdown at nadir (e.g.,0.0869±0.0117 average serum DNA level at day 15).

Example 4. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Model Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. At day 1,each mouse was given a single subcutaneous administration of 200 μlcontaining 2 mg/kg (mpk) of an HBV RNAi agent formulated in phosphatebuffered saline, or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBVRNAi agent to be used as a control. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The HBV RNAi agentsadministered included those listed in Table 9, below. The injectionswere performed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneousinjections) into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three(3) mice in each group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day 8, day 15, day 22, and day 29, and serumHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant tothe procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data from the experiment isshown in the following Table:

TABLE 9 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBS controlin pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 4(standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day29 PBS 1.000 ± 0.085 1.000 ± 0.235 1.000 ± 0.171 1.000 ± 0.099 AD040100.229 ± 0.141 0.165 ± 0.091 0.142 ± 0.085 0.116 ± 0.076 AD04581 0.379 ±0.042 0.221 ± 0.066 0.135 ± 0.040 0.112 ± 0.050 AD04591 0.285 ± 0.1010.145 ± 0.064 0.086 ± 0.024 0.081 ± 0.026 AD04434 0.295 ± 0.041 0.191 ±0.008 0.147 ± 0.016 0.187 ± 0.049 AD04583 0.488 ± 0.018 0.545 ± 0.0370.511 ± 0.086 0.663 ± 0.112 AD04584 0.392 ± 0.136 0.337 ± 0.073 0.364 ±0.075 0.515 ± 0.155 AD04585 0.099 ± 0.016 0.042 ± 0.014 0.030 ± 0.0090.044 ± 0.014 AD04586 0.222 ± 0.056 0.107 ± 0.034 0.074 ± 0.016 0.106 ±0.039 AD04588 0.255 ± 0.065 0.205 ± 0.021 0.185 ± 0.021 0.207 ± 0.024AD04438 0.265 ± 0.106 0.113 ± 0.045 0.091 ± 0.031 0.130 ± 0.038

RNAi agents AD04010, AD04581, AD04591, AD04434, AD04583, AD04584,AD04585, AD04586, AD04588, and AD04438 were designed to have antisensestrand sequences that are at least partially complementary to the S openreading frame at positions 257-275 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables1 and 2. The HBV RNAi agents shown in Table 9, directly above, eachshowed substantial reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS controlacross all measured time points. For example, AD04585 exhibitedapproximately a 90% reduction of HBsAg at day 8, a 95% reduction at day15, a 97% reduction at day 22, and a 95% reduction at day 29.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for the PBS, AD04585groups from serum samples collected on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43 and50, pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serum fromeach group was pooled and then DNA was isolated from the serum induplicate isolations. Data are presented in the following Table:

TABLE 10 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 4 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 Day 29 PBS 1.000 ± 0.248 1.000 ± 0.089 1.000 ± 0.195 1.000 ±0.180 AD04585 0.901 ± 0.183 0.225 ± 0.003 0.187 ± 0.023 0.191 ± 0.004Group Day 36 Day 43 Day 50 PBS 1.000 ± 0.018 1.000 ± 0.033 1.000 ± 0.778AD04585 0.209 ± 0.017 0.171 ± 0.019 0.305 ± 0.010

The data in Table 10 indicate that HBV RNAi agent AD04585 provided areduction in HBV DNA levels compared to the PBS group.

Example 5. Dose Response and Combinations of HBV RNAi Agents in pHBVModel Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. The micewere divided into various groups including those set forth in Table 11,below, and the mice were given 200 μl subcutaneous injections pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 11:

TABLE 11 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 5. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 B3.0 mg/kg AD04585 Single injection on day 1 C 3.0 mg/kg AD04585Injection on day 1, day 8, and day 15 (i.e., three weekly injections) D3.0 mg/kg AD04580 Single injection on day 1 E 3.0 mg/kg AD04580Injection on day 1, day 8, and day 15 (i.e., three weekly injections) F1.0 mg/kg AD4585 + Injection on day 1, and another injection on day 221.0 mg/kg AD04580 G 1.0 mg/kg AD4585 + Injection on day 1, day 8, day15, and day 43 1.0 mg/kg AD04580 H 1.5 mg/kg AD4585 + Injection on day1, day 22, and day 43 1.5 mg/kg AD04580 I 1.5 mg/kg AD4585 + Injectionon day 1, day 8, day 15, and day 43 1.5 mg/kg AD04580

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 11. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day 8, day 15, day 22, day 29, day 36, day 43,day 50, and day 57, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levelswere determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above.Data from the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 12 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 5 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 Day 29 A 1.000 ± 0.162 1.000 ± 0.138 1.000 ± 0.083 1.000 ± 0.204B 0.060 ± 0.015 0.010 ± 0.003 0.006 ± 0.002 0.007 ± 0.002 C 0.087 ±0.014 0.004 ± 0.001  0.001 ± 0.0003 0.0002 ± 0.0001 D 0.026 ± 0.0090.035 ± 0.013 0.037 ± 0.014 0.046 ± 0.006 E 0.023 ± 0.005 0.002 ± 0.001 0.001 ± 0.0003  0.001 ± 0.0004 F 0.063 ± 0.046 0.083 ± 0.051 0.086 ±0.016 0.027 ± 0.006 G 0.062 ± 0.011 0.022 ± 0.008 0.009 ± 0.003 0.008 ±0.002 H 0.055 ± 0.015 0.062 ± 0.002 0.072 ± 0.013 0.011 ± 0.001 I 0.031± 0.006 0.008 ± 0.001  0.003 ± 0.0004  0.003 ± 0.0003 Group Day 36 Day43 Day 50 Day 57 A 1.000 ± 0.211 1.000 ± 0.189 1.000 ± 0.179 1.000 ±0.062 B 0.013 ± 0.005 0.027 ± 0.004 0.026 ± 0.004 0.057 ± 0.012 C  0.001± 0.0002 0.002 ± 0.001 0.008 ± 0.004 0.020 ± 0.015 D 0.116 ± 0.019 0.214± 0.056 0.263 ± 0.046 0.404 ± 0.030 E  0.003 ± 0.0001 0.007 ± 0.0010.012 ± 0.002 0.033 ± 0.011 F 0.029 ± 0.003 0.065 ± 0.005 0.064 ± 0.0040.161 ± 0.033 G 0.014 ± 0.008 0.039 ± 0.011 0.018 ± 0.008 0.046 ± 0.008H 0.017 ± 0.005 0.039 ± 0.008 0.007 ± 0.001 0.013 ± 0.003 I 0.007 ±0.001 0.020 ± 0.002 0.005 ± 0.001 0.011 ± 0.002

HBV RNAi agents AD04580 and AD04585 each individually showed a reductionin HBsAg as compared to the PBS control across all measured time points.Furthermore, combination treatment of AD04585 and AD04580, which asnoted in the Examples above target different regions of the HBV genome,also showed reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS control across allmeasured time points.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for each of thegroups in Table 11 from serum samples collected on days 8, 15, 22, 29,and 36, pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serumfrom each group was pooled and then DNA was isolated from the serum induplicate reactions. Data are presented in the following Table:

TABLE 13 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 5 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 ± 0.063 1.000 ± 0.059 1.000 ± 0.3721.000 ± 0.237 1.000 ± 0.024 B 0.267 ± 0.003 0.043 ± 0.016 0.038 ± 0.0080.044 ± 0.004 0.046 ± 0.007 C 0.236 ± 0.016 0.023 ± 0.001 0.004 ± 0.0010.002 ± 0.000 0.003 ± 0.000 D 0.058 ± 0.016 0.085 ± 0.017 0.252 ± 0.0710.217 ± 0.009 0.319 ± 0.034 E 0.056 ± 0.002 0.0009 ± 0.0004 0.0005 ±0.0002 0.003 ± 0.002 0.002 ± 0.000 F 0.298 ± 0.013 0.351 ± 0.032 0.823 ±0.127 0.217 ± 0.007 0.122 ± 0.004 G 0.276 ± 0.035 0.112 ± 0.020 0.061 ±0.002 0.073 ± 0.002 0.047 ± 0.006 H 0.232 ± 0.012 0.213 ± 0.028 0.403 ±0.047 0.079 ± 0.005 0.056 ± 0.003 I 0.092 ± 0.026 0.055 ± 0.000 0.002 ±0.003 0.010 ± 0.004 0.021 ± 0.007

The data in Table 13 indicate that the RNAi agents examined, bothindividually and in combination, provided a reduction in HBV DNA levelscompared to the PBS group. Re-dosing or increasing the dose amountyielded additional HBV DNA reductions.

Example 6. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Dose Response and CombinationStudies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 14, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 14:

TABLE 14 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 6. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 B4.0 mg/kg AD04981 Single injection on day 1 C 1.0 mg/kg AD04981 Singleinjection on day 1 D 2.0 mg/kg AD04981 Single injection on day 1 E 1.0mg/kg AD04963 Single injection on day 1 F 2.0 mg/kg AD04963 Singleinjection on day 1 G 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 H 3.0mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04981 I 3.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04963 J 3.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 2.0 mg/kg AD04981

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 14. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day −1 prior to administration, and then on day8, day 15, day 22, day 29, and day 36, and serum HBsAg levels weredetermined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Datafrom the experiment is shown in the following Table 15, with AverageHBsAg reflecting the normalized average value of HBsAg:

TABLE 15 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 6 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 A 1.000 ± 0.068 1.000 ± 0.183 1.000 ± 0.181 B 0.085 ± 0.020 0.068± 0.005 0.089 ± 0.014 C 0.283 ± 0.039 0.343 ± 0.055 0.436 ± 0.004 D0.161 ± 0.052 0.137 ± 0.036 0.190 ± 0.068 E 0.182 ± 0.040 0.233 ± 0.0230.436 ± 0.029 F 0.078 ± 0.024 0.093 ± 0.015 0.167 ± 0.028 G 0.066 ±0.030 0.013 ± 0.002 0.010 ± 0.002 H 0.033 ± 0.012 0.016 ± 0.005 0.020 ±0.005 I 0.040 ± 0.011 0.028 ± 0.003 0.032 ± 0.007 J 0.035 ± 0.010 0.019± 0.002 0.021 ± 0.001 Group Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 ± 0.032 1.000 ± 0.141B 0.148 ± 0.016 0.194 ± 0.047 C 0.622 ± 0.041 0.741 ± 0.132 D 0.234 ±0.055 0.280 ± 0.071 E 0.623 ± 0.116 0.782 ± 0.114 F 0.259 ± 0.014 0.368± 0.068 G 0.010 ± 0.003 0.009 ± 0.004 H 0.022 ± 0.005 0.024 ± 0.009 I0.065 ± 0.014 0.087 ± 0.015 J  0.031 ± 0.0001 0.044 ± 0.002

The HBV RNAi agents tested showed a reduction in HBsAg as compared tothe PBS control across all measured time points. Furthermore,combination treatment of AD04872 (which includes an antisense strandsequence that is at least partially complementary to the S ORF atpositions 261-279 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2) andeither AD04981 or AD04963 (both of which include antisense strandsequences that are at least partially complementary to the X ORF atpositions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2),which are shown in Groups H, I, and J of Example 6, illustrate thatcombination treatment of two RNAi agents targeting, one which targets inthe S ORF, and the other which targets in the X ORF of the HBV genome,similarly showed reduction in HBsAg compared to the PBS control acrossall measured time points.

Additionally, Serum Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) levels were alsoassessed. Samples from the mice in each respective group were firstpooled, and the resulting serum samples were assayed in singlet. Datafrom the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 16 Average HBeAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 6. Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 1.000 1.0000.183 1.000 B 0.138 0.180 0.274 0.005 0.089 C 0.316 0.376 0.588 0.0550.436 D 0.167 0.250 0.262 0.036 0.190 E 0.301 0.327 0.447 0.023 0.436 F0.167 0.172 0.305 0.015 0.167 G 0.275 0.135 0.158 0.002 0.010 H 0.0800.053 0.094 0.005 0.020 I 0.165 0.124 0.185 0.003 0.032 J 0.120 0.0570.101 0.002 0.021

As shown in Table 16, the combination AD04872 (which targets the S ORFof the HBV genome) with either AD04981 or AD04963 (both of which targetthe X ORF of the HBV genome), showed a further reduction in HBeAg levelsrelative to administering AD04872 alone.

Example 7. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Additional Dose Response andCombination Studies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 17, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 17:

TABLE 17 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 7. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 B4.0 mg/kg AD04776 Single injection on day 1 C 1.0 mg/kg AD04982 Singleinjection on day 1 D 2.0 mg/kg AD04982 Single injection on day 1 E 1.0mg/kg AD04776 Single injection on day 1 F 2.0 mg/kg AD04776 Singleinjection on day 1 G 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 H 3.0mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04982 I 3.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 2.0 mg/kg AD04982

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 pd containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 17. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Four (4) mice ineach group were tested on day −1 and day 8 (n=4), and then one mouse pergroup was euthanized for histological evaluation. Three (3) mice in eachgroup were tested at day 22 and day 29 (n=3).

Serum was collected on day −1 prior to administration, and then on day8, day 15, day 22, and day 29, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant to the procedure set forth inExample 2, above. Data from the experiment is shown in the followingTable 18:

TABLE 18 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment (day −1) andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 7 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 Day 29 A 1.000 ± 1.000 ± 0.278 1.000 ± 0.194 1.000 ± 0.3180.347 B 0.117 ± 0.085 ± 0.039 0.148 ± 0.045 0.198 ± 0.049 0.069 C 0.519± 0.375 ± 0.012 0.422 ± 0.046 0.525 ± 0.037 0.058 D 0.342 ± 0.255 ±0.046 0.272 ± 0.122 0.314 ± 0.068 0.062 E 0.279 ± 0.245 ± 0.032 0.374 ±0.121 0.304 ± 0.035 0.057 F 0.224 ± 0.161 ± 0.009 0.310 ± 0.016 0.482 ±0.053 0.018 G 0.029 ± 0.005 ± 0.001 0.004 ± 0.001 0.006 ± 0.001 0.010 H0.016 ± 0.004 ± 0.001 0.010 ± 0.006 0.015 ± 0.008 0.005 I 0.026 ± 0.008± 0.001 0.010 ± 0.002 0.015 ± 0.005 0.012

The HBV RNAi agents tested showed a reduction in HBsAg as compared tothe PBS control across all measured time points.

Additionally, Serum Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) levels were alsoassessed. Samples from the mice in each respective group were firstpooled, and the resulting serum samples were assayed in singlet. Datafrom the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 19 Average HBeAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 7. Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 1.000 1.0001.000 1.000 B 0.193 0.213 0.260 0.307 0.464 C 0.471 0.424 0.562 0.5130.705 D 0.335 0.310 0.411 0.442 0.500 E 0.381 0.368 0.355 0.564 0.483 F0.275 0.255 0.370 0.495 0.449 G 0.323 0.218 0.205 0.250 0.190 H 0.1240.102 0.099 0.156 0.156 I 0.081 0.059 0.045 0.063 0.086

TABLE 19-1 Average HBeAg fold knockdown normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 7. Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 Group (Fold KD) (FoldKD) (Fold KD) (Fold KD) (Fold KD) A 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 B 5.2 4.7 3.83.3 2.2 C 2.1 2.4 1.8 2.0 1.4 D 3.0 3.2 2.4 2.3 2.0 E 2.6 2.7 2.8 1.82.1 F 3.6 3.9 2.7 2.0 2.2 G 3.1 4.6 4.9 4.0 5.3 H 8.1 9.8 10.1 6.4 6.4 I12.3 17.0 22.3 15.7 11.6

Table 19-1 reflects the fold knockdown ratio of HBeAg compared tocontrol, which is calculated as normalized HBeAg level of the control(PBS) group/normalized HBeAg level of the respected RNAi agent(s) group(i.e., 1.000/HBeAg level). The data in Table 19-1 indicate that thecombination of AD04872 (which, as noted above, includes an antisensestrand sequence that is at least partially complementary to the S ORF atpositions 261-279 of the HBV genome) with AD04982 (which includes anantisense strand sequence that is at least partially complementary tothe X ORF at positions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome), showed a furtherreduction in HBeAg levels relative to administering the individual RNAiagents alone (See, e.g., Tables 19 and 19-1 for Groups H and I).Further, the data from this Example also show that the combination ofAD04872 with AD04982 resulted in fold decrease of HBeAg greater than thesum of the fold decrease of HBeAg in AD04872 and AD04982 administeredindividually. For example, Group I (which is the administration of 3.0mg/kg AD04872+2.0 mg/kg AD04982) resulted in a fold decrease of HBeAg atday 15 of 17.0, which is greater than the sum of the fold decrease forGroup G (3.0 mg/kg AD04872) of 4.6 plus the fold decrease for Group D(2.0 mg/kg AD04982) of 3.2.

Further, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for each of the groups inTable 17 from serum samples collected on days −1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36,pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serum HBV DNAwas isolated from each animal at each time point. Data are presented inthe following Table:

TABLE 20 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 7 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 ± 0.493 1.000 ± 0.358 1.000 ± 0.4241.000 ± 0.387 1.000 ± 0.326 B 0.224 ± 0.150 0.263 ± 0.185 0.335 ± 0.2040.449 ± 0.108 0.603 ± 0.068 C 0.358 ± 0.207 0.428 ± 0.073 0.433 ± 0.2200.474 ± 0.090 0.509 ± 0.163 D 0.516 ± 0.163 0.523 ± 0.264 0.244 ± 0.1230.241 ± 0.085 0.543 ± 0.079 E 0.601 ± 0.388 0.319 ± 0.125 0.279 ± 0.1380.506 ± 0.525 0.444 ± 0.407 F 0.363 ± 0.128 0.374 ± 0.197 0.275 ± 0.1460.385 ± 0.141 0.721 ± 0.043 G 0.071 ± 0.032 0.022 ± 0.009 0.015 ± 0.0150.025 ± 0.005 0.058 ± 0.030 H 0.069 ± 0.070 0.018 ± 0.014 0.019 ± 0.0200.022 ± 0.001 0.047 ± 0.021 I 0.044 ± 0.024 0.033 ± 0.016 0.017 ± 0.0120.022 ± 0.014 0.058 ± 0.051

The data in Table 20 indicate that the RNAi agents examined, bothindividually and in combination, provided a reduction in HBV DNA levelscompared to the PBS group, and further show that the combination ofAD04872 (which targets the S ORF) and AD04982 (which targets the X ORF)reduces serum HBV DNA to a similar degree as an equal amount of AD04872alone.

Example 8. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Further Dose Response andCombination Studies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 21, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 21:

TABLE 21 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 8. Number of Group RNAiAgent and Dose Dosing Regimen Animals (n)  1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Singleinjection on day 1 4  2A 4.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.0 mg/kg AD05070  2B 4.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.0 mg/kg AD05070  3A 3.3 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.7 mg/kg AD05070  3B 3.3 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.7 mg/kg AD05070  4A 3.2 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 40.8 mg/kg AD05070  4B 3.2 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 40.8 mg/kg AD05070  5A 2.7 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.3 mg/kg AD05070  5B 2.7 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 41.3 mg/kg AD05070  6A 4.0 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection on day 1 4  6B4.0 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection on day 1 4  7A 1.7 mg/kg AD05070Single injection on day 1 4  7B 1.7 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection onday 1 4  8A 0.8 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection on day 1 4  8B 0.8 mg/kgAD05070 Single injection on day 1 4  9 1.7 mg/kg AD05148 Singleinjection on day 1 4 10 2.7 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 3 111.7 mg/kg AD05147 Single injection on day 1 3 12 4.0 mg/kg AD04872Single injection on day 1 3 13 1.7 mg/kg AD05149 Single injection on day1 3

Additionally, the mice are scheduled to be euthanized pursuant to thefollowing schedule:

-   -   Day 11: Euthanize 2 mice from groups 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and        8A, and euthanize one mouse from group 9.    -   Day 14: Euthanize 2 mice from groups 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and        8A.    -   Day 21: Euthanize 2 mice from groups 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, and        8B.    -   Day 28: Euthanize 2 mice from groups 1, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B,        and 8B, and all mice (4) from groups 10 and 12.

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 21. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. As shown in Table14 above, four (4) mice in each group were tested (n=4), except forgroups 10, 11, 12 and 13, in which three mice were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day −1 prior to administration, and on days 8,14, 21 and 28, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels weredetermined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Datafrom the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 22 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 8 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Number Day 8Day 14 Day 21 Day 28  1 1.000 ± 0.089 1.000 ± 0.087 1.000 ± 0.132 1.000± 0.138  2A 0.009 ± 0.003 0.005 ± 0.001  2B 0.006 ± 0.003 0.002 ± 0.0010.004 ± 0.001 0.005 ± 0.001  3A 0.032 ± 0.021 0.009 ± 0.004  3B 0.028 ±0.027 0.008 ± 0.006 0.012 ± 0.005 0.015 ± 0.005  4A 0.036 ± 0.020 0.012± 0.006  4B 0.029 ± 0.025 0.010 ± 0.008 0.015 ± 0.005 0.022 ± 0.004  5A0.027 ± 0.014 0.008 ± 0.002  5B 0.027 ± 0.013 0.007 ± 0.003 0.019 ±0.004 0.031 ± 0.005  6A 0.058 ± 0.035 0.069 ± 0.039  6B 0.117 ± 0.0580.079 ± 0.047 0.145 ± 0.082 0.135 ± 0.061  7A 0.189 ± 0.100 0.084 ±0.029  7B 0.099 ± 0.010 0.147 ± 0.025 0.267 ± 0.048 0.345 ± 0.063  8A0.355 ± 0.099 0.366 ± 0.069  8B 0.271 ± 0.058 0.334 ± 0.060 0.464 ±0.055 0.624 ± 0.053  9 0.239 ± 0.148 0.179 ± 0.127 0.309 ± 0.213 0.345 ±0.225 10 0.018 ± 0.009 0.005 ± 0.003 0.005 ± 0.002 0.007 ± 0.003 110.129 ± 0.068 0.138 ± 0.060 0.239 ± 0.092 0.315 ± 0.119 12 0.033 ± 0.0220.002 ± 0.001 0.002 ± 0.001 0.002 ± 0.0004 13 0.200 ± 0.093 0.239 ±0.114 0.367 ± 0.123 0.477 ± 0.125

The HBV RNAi agents tested, both alone and in combination, showed asubstantial reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS control across allmeasured time points.

Example 9. RNAi Agent Delivery

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. At day 1,each mouse was administered a single subcutaneous injection of 200 μlcontaining 10 mg/kg (mpk) of an HBV RNAi agent formulated in phosphatebuffered saline, or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBVRNAi agent, to be used as a control. The HBV RNAi agents tested includedthose having the duplex numbers shown in Table 23, below, which eachincluded N-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the5′-terminal end of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. Theinjections were performed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneousinjections) into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three(3) mice in each group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected prior to administration, and then on day 8, day 15,day 22, and day 29, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levelswere determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above.Data from the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 23 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 9 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). HBsAg in serum atnadir Day of RNAi agent (norm. fraction) % KD at nadir nadir PBS 1.000N/A N/A AD03498 0.087 ± 0.016 91.3% 8 AD03499 0.069 ± 0.011 93.1% 15AD03500 0.095 ± 0.031 90.5% 8 AD03501 0.046 ± 0.020 95.4% 15

Each of the HBV RNAi agents shown in Table 23, above, included anantisense strand sequence that is at least partially complementary tothe X ORF at positions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome. Each of the RNAiagents showed a significant knockdown compared to PBS control.

Example 10. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Further Combination Studies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 24, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 24:

TABLE 24 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 10. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS Group I (no RNAi Single injection on day 1 andday 22 agent) B PBS Group II (no RNAi Single injection on day 1 and day22 agent) C 3.0 mg/kg AD04585 Single injection on day 1, day 22, day 50,and day 64 D 3.0 mg/kg AD04771 Single injection on day 1 and day 22 E3.0 mg/kg AD04580 Single injection on day 1, day 22, day 50, and day 64F 3.0 mg/kg AD04776 Single injection on day 1 and day 22 G 1.5 mg/kgAD04585 + Single injection on day 1, day 22, 1.5 mg/kg AD04580 day 50,and day 64 H 1.5 mg/kg AD04771 + Single injection on day 1 and day 221.5 mg/kg AD04776 I 2.0 mg/kg AD04771 + Single injection on day 1 andday 22 1.0 mg/kg AD04776 J 2.25 mg/kg AD04771 + Single injection on day1 and day 22 0.75 mg/kg AD04776

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 24. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected prior to administration, and then on day −1, day 8,day 15, day 22, day 29, day 36, day 43, day 50, day 57, and day 64.Serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determinedpursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data from theexperiment is shown in the following:

TABLE 25 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol (Group A used as control) in pHBV mice following administrationof HBV RNAi agents from Example 10 (standard deviation reflected as(+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 A 1.000 ± 0.146 1.000 ± 0.095 1.000 ±0.202 B 0.931 ± 0.161 1.091 ± 0.156 1.132 ± 0.259 C 0.071 ± 0.050 0.031± 0.022 0.024 ± 0.013 D 0.134 ± 0.035 0.130 ± 0.024 0.119 ± 0.028 E0.015 ± 0.001 0.041 ± 0.012 0.087 ± 0.015 F 0.197 ± 0.081 0.308 ± 0.1380.476 ± 0.156 G 0.029 ± 0.015 0.069 ± 0.029 0.094 ± 0.016 H 0.191 ±0.057 0.315 ± 0.094 0.420 ± 0.126 I 0.153 ± 0.050 0.194 ± 0.076 0.233 ±0.116 J 0.155 ± 0.059 0.177 ± 0.067 0.316 ± 0.117 Group Day 29 Day 36Day 43 A 1.000 ± 0.182 1.000 ± 0.287 1.000 ± 0.298 B 1.417 ± 0.414 1.166± 0.248 C 0.007 ± 0.005 0.004 ± 0.003 0.006 ± 0.001 D 0.048 ± 0.0230.036 ± 0.020 0.052 ± 0.027 E 0.014 ± 0.006 0.021 ± 0.011 0.026 ± 0.011F 0.246 ± 0.081 0.244 ± 0.097 0.179 ± 0.061 G 0.023 ± 0.009 0.027 ±0.009 0.037 ± 0.013 H 0.200 ± 0.080 0.185 ± 0.081 0.194 ± 0.055 I 0.141± 0.082 0.133 ± 0.051 0.151 ± 0.082 J 0.133 ± 0.064 0.102 ± 0.039 0.129± 0.050 Group Day 50 Day 57 Day 64 A 1.000 ± 0.296 1.000 ± 0.394 1.000 ±0.395 B C  0.015 ± 0.0001 0.002 ± 0.001 0.004 ± 0.001 D E 0.052 ± 0.0150.009 ± 0.002 0.018 ± 0.007 F G 0.076 ± 0.020 0.012 ± 0.003 0.020 ±0.007 H I J

HBV RNAi agents AD04585 and AD04771 were designed to have antisensestrand sequences that are at least partially complementary to the S openreading frame at positions 257-275 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables1 and 2. HBV RNAi agents AD04580 and AD04776 were designed to haveantisense strand sequences that are at least partially complementary tothe X open reading frame at positions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome, asshown in Tables 1 and 2 The HBV RNAi agents tested, both alone and incombination, showed a reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS controlacross all measured time points. Each subsequent dose further reducedthe nadir of HBsAg reduction.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for Group C (3.0mg/kg AD04585), Group E (3.0 mg/kg AD04580), and Group G (1.5 mg/kgAD04585+1.5 mg/kg AD04580) in Table 24, from serum samples collected ondays −1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36, 43 and 50 pursuant to the procedure setforth in Example 2, above. Serum HBV DNA was isolated for each animal ateach of these time points. Data are presented in the following Table:

TABLE 26 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS controls (both PBS groups A and B) in pHBV mice followingadministration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 10 (standard deviationreflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 A/B 1.000 ± 1.000± 0.427 1.000 ± 0.428 1.000 ± 0.475 (PBS) 0.316 C 0.172 ± 0.142 ± 0.0790.252 ± 0.132 0.072 ± 0.086 0.151 E 0.024 ± 0.042 ± 0.037 0.449 ± 0.1840.053 ± 0.048 0.015 G 0.093 ± 0.083 ± 0.037 0.370 ± 0.153 0.211 ± 0.0600.053 Group Day 36 Day 43 Day 50 A/B 1.000 ± 0.623 1.000 ± 0.532 1.000 ±0.532 (PBS) C 0.044 ± 0.020 0.104 ± 0.033 0.156 ± 0.016 E 0.012 ± 0.0040.061 ± 0.031 0.161 ± 0.019 G 0.048 ± 0.022 0.147 ± 0.010 0.295 ± 0.041

The data in Table 26 indicate that the HBV RNAi agents examined, bothindividually and in combination, provided a reduction in HBV DNA levelscompared to the PBS group.

Example 11. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Combination Studies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 27, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 27:

TABLE 27 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 11. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 B3.0 mg/kg AD04962 Single injection on day 1 C 3.0 mg/kg AD04963 Singleinjection on day 1 D 1.5 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 1.5mg/kg AD04963 E 2.0 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kgAD04963 F 2.25 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 0.75 mg/kgAD04963 G 1.5 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 1.5 mg/kgAD04963 H 3.0 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 3.0 mg/kgAD04963 I 1.5 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 1.5 mg/kgAD04963 J 4.5 mg/kg AD04962 + Single injection on day 1 4.5 mg/kgAD04963 K 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 L 3.0 mg/kgAD04882 Single injection on day 1 M 3.0 mg/kg AD04885 Single injectionon day 1

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline, or200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 24. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day −1 prior to administration, and then on day8, day 15, day 22, day 29, and day 36 (except for Group L (AD04882) andGroup M (AD04885), and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levelswere determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above.Data from the experiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 28 Average HBsAg normalized to pre-treatment and PBS control inpHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 11(standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 A1.000 ± 0.048 1.000 ± 0.144 1.000 ± 0.083 B 0.125 ± 0.025 0.083 ± 0.0140.063 ± 0.016 C 0.019 ± 0.005 0.035 ± 0.008 0.052 ± 0.009 D 0.054 ±0.013 0.079 ± 0.009 0.108 ± 0.021 E 0.099 ± 0.025 0.098 ± 0.053 0.142 ±0.050 F 0.070 ± 0.015 0.103 ± 0.036 0.140 ± 0.020 G 0.041 ± 0.021 0.012± 0.008 0.021 ± 0.013 H 0.020 ± 0.006 0.044 ± 0.010 0.062 ± 0.019 I0.077 ± 0.017 0.019 ± 0.004 0.004 ± 0.001 J 0.012 ± 0.002 0.021 ± 0.0010.032 ± 0.002 K 0.045 ± 0.014 0.013 ± 0.005 0.008 ± 0.005 L 0.106 ±0.020 0.176 ± 0.044 0.215 ± 0.082 M 0.275 ± 0.029 0.378 ± 0.080 0.572 ±0.043 Group Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 ± 0.209 1.000 ± 0.270 B 0.079 ± 0.0200.096 ± 0.007 C 0.087 ± 0.014 0.164 ± 0.026 D 0.176 ± 0.014 0.292 ±0.030 E 0.223 ± 0.082 0.373 ± 0.150 F 0.213 ± 0.020 0.328 ± 0.034 G0.031 ± 0.013 0.078 ± 0.064 H  0.97 ± 0.028 0.160 ± 0.060 I 0.008 ±0.001  0.002 ± 0.0003 J 0.044 ± 0.008 0.069 ± 0.009 K 0.011 ± 0.0070.011 ± 0.009 L 0.299 ± 0.009 M 0.792 ± 0.057

RNAi agent AD04962 was designed to have an antisense strand sequencethat is at least partially complementary to the S open reading frame atpositions 257-275 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. RNAiagent AD04872 was designed to have an antisense strand sequence that isat least partially complementary to the S open reading frame atpositions 261-279 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. RNAiagent AD04963 was designed to have an antisense strand sequence that isat least partially complementary to the X open reading frame atpositions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. RNAiagents AD04882 and AD04885 were designed to have antisense strandsequences that are at least partially complementary to the X openreading frame at positions 1780-1798 of the HBV genome, as shown inTables 1 and 2. The HBV RNAi agents shown in Table 9, directly above,each showed a reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS control acrossall measured timepoints, both individually and in combination. Re-dosingyielded additional HBsAg reduction.

Additionally, Serum Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) levels were alsoassessed for all groups except Groups L and M. Samples from the mice ineach respective group were first pooled, and the resulting serum sampleswere assayed in singlet. Data from the experiment is shown in thefollowing Table:

TABLE 29 Average HBeAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 11. Group Day 8 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 A 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 B0.425 0.291 0.371 0.365 C 0.152 0.170 0.328 0.356 D 0.266 0.249 0.4560.440 E 0.278 0.295 0.589 0.561 F 0.306 0.291 0.718 0.522 G 0.183 0.1380.291 0.249 H 0.091 0.131 0.315 0.238 I 0.183 0.052 0.069 0.036 J 0.0890.114 0.190 0.236 K 0.458 0.172 0.322 0.207

Further, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for each of the groups inTable 27 from serum samples collected on days 8, 15, 22, and 29,pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serum HBV DNAwas isolated from each animal at each time point. Data are presented inthe following Table:

TABLE 30 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 7 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 Day 29 A 1.000 ± 1.000 ± 0.463 1.000 ± 0.272 1.000 ± 0.2050.232 B 0.577 ± 0.222 ± 0.064 0.196 ± 0.055 0.261 ± 0.117 0.219 C 0.165± 0.070 ± 0.042 0.142 ± 0.105 0.228 ± 0.174 0.051 D 0.343 ± 0.307 ±0.091 0.300 ± 0.092 0.356 ± 0.032 0.125 E 0.262 ± 0.216 ± 0.018 0.227 ±0.028 0.279 ± 0.090 0.033 F 0.320 ± 0.332 ± 0.208 0.344 ± 0.209 0.338 ±0.211 0.134 G 0.231 ± 0.034 ± 0.024 0.069 ± 0.039 0.077 ± 0.020 0.036 H0.229 ± 0.155 ± 0.121 0.148 ± 0.079 0.215 ± 0.035 0.101 I 0.281 ± 0.109± 0.071 0.023 ± 0.019 0.011 ± 0.009 0.129 J 0.078 ± 0.061 ± 0.020 0.074± 0.029 0.056 ± 0.030 0.050 K 0.314 ± 0.119 ± 0.043 0.076 ± 0.067 0.078± 0.095 0.064 L 0.295 ± 0.305 ± 0.101 0.213 ± 0.088 0.186 ± 0.084 0.077M 0.515 ± 0.505 ± 0.293 0.488 ± 0.318 0.478 ± 0.267 0.247

The data in Table 30 indicate that the RNAi agents examined, bothindividually and in combination, provided a reduction in HBV DNA levelscompared to the PBS group. Re-dosing yielded addition reduction of HBVDNA.

Example 12. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 31, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 31:

TABLE 31 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 12. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen A PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 B2.0 mg/kg AD04871 Single injection on day 1 C 2.0 mg/kg AD04872 Singleinjection on day 1 D 2.0 mg/kg AD04874 Single injection on day 1 E 2.0mg/kg AD04875 Single injection on day 1 F 2.0 mg/kg AD04876 Singleinjection on day 1 G 2.0 mg/kg AD04881 Single injection on day 1 H 2.0mg/kg AD04883 Single injection on day 1 I 2.0 mg/kg AD04884 Singleinjection on day 1

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent formulated in phosphate buffered saline, or200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 24. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected prior to administration, and then on day 8, day 15,and day 22. Group A (PBS), Group B (2.0 mg/kg AD04871), Group C (2.0mg/kg AD04872), Group D (2.0 mg/kg AD04874), Group E (2.0 mg/kgAD04875), and Group F (2.0 mg/kg AD04876) also had serum collected onday 29, day 36, day 43, and day 50. Serum Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant to the procedure set forth inExample 2, above. Data from the experiment is shown in the followingTable:

TABLE 32 Average HBsAg normalized to pre-treatment and PBS control inpHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 12(standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day29 A 1.000 ± 0.132 1.000 ± 0.089 1.000 ± 0.080 1.000 ± 0.098 B 0.102 ±0.034 0.041 ± 0.021 0.049 ± 0.033 0.048 ± 0.031 C 0.153 ± 0.064 0.064 ±0.032 0.063 ± 0.034 0.042 ± 0.017 D 0.123 ± 0.022 0.049 ± 0.017 0.039 ±0.010 0.023 ± 0.001 E 0.190 ± 0.075 0.094 ± 0.038 0.107 ± 0.061 0.081 ±0.051 F 0.190 ± 0.031 0.076 ± 0.035 0.084 ± 0.038 0.049 ± 0.024 G 0.159± 0.047 0.216 ± 0.057 0.235 ± 0.151 H 0.508 ± 0.078 0.666 ± 0.131 0.543± 0.048 I 0.279 ± 0.087 0.357 ± 0.078 0.614 ± 0.156 Group Day 36 Day 43Day 50 A 1.000 ± 0.065 1.000 ± 0.242 1.000 ± 0.224 B 0.054 ± 0.038 0.064± 0.030 0.092 ± 0.025 C 0.049 ± 0.017 0.054 ± 0.015 0.085 ± 0.010 D0.037 ± 0.004 0.037 ± 0.010 0.065 ± 0.012 E 0.126 ± 0.077 0.125 ± 0.0630.170 ± 0.079 F 0.089 ± 0.044 0.082 ± 0.034 0.115 ± 0.028 G H I

HBV RNAi agents AD04871, AD04872, AD04874, AD04875, and AD04876 wereeach designed to have antisense strand sequences that are at leastpartially complementary to the S open reading frame at positions 261-279of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. Each of these HBV RNAiagents should a substantial reduction in HBsAg compared to PBS control.For example, a single 2 mg/kg dose of each of AD04871 (Group B), AD04872(Group C) and AD04874 (Group D), and AD04876 (Group F), exhibited agreater than 90% reduction in HBsAg for each of the timepoints measuredfrom day 15 through day 43 compared to control. HBV RNAi agents AD04881,AD04883, AD04884 were each designed to have antisense strand sequencesthat are at least partially complementary to the X open reading frame atpositions 1780-1798 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Example 13. Dose Response and Combinations of HBV RNAi Agents in XRegion Knockout Model Mice

As an alternative means in assessing the effects of the combination ofan RNAi agent that includes an antisense strand sequence that is atleast partially complementary to a region located in the S ORF of an HBVmRNA, and a second RNAi agent that includes an antisense strand sequencethat is at least partially complementary to a region located in the XORF of an HBV mRNA, a plasmid was generated that included the HBV genomewith a knockout of the binding site for HBV RNAi agents that targetpositions 1780 and 1781, as shown in Tables 1 and 2 (hereinafterreferred to as X Region Knockout mice). This model was generated bymutating ten (10) bases in the pHBV1.3 plasmid within the binding siteof these RNAi agents. The remainder of the HBV mRNA, including theS-region, remained functional. Thus, in this HBV mouse model, inclusionof an HBV RNAi agent having an antisense strand that targets positions1780 and 1781 of the HBV genome disclosed herein is expected to beineffective in silencing expression.

The mice were divided into various groups including those set forth inTable 33, below, and the mice were given 200 pd subcutaneous injectionspursuant to the dosing regimen set forth in the following Table:

TABLE 33 Dosing groups of X Region Knockout mice for Example 13. Numberof Animals Group RNAi Agent and Dose Dosing Regimen (n) 1 PBS (no RNAiagent) Single injection on day 1 4 2 2.0 mg/kg AD04585 + Singleinjection on day 1 4 1.0 mg/kg AD04963 3 2.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 4 1.0 mg/kg AD04963 4 2.5 mg/kg AD04585 + Singleinjection on day 1 4 0.5 mg/kg AD04963 5 2.5 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 4 0.5 mg/kg AD04963 6 3.0 mg/kg AD04963 Singleinjection on day 15 1

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 33. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day 5, day 8, day 15, day 22, and day 29 andserum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determinedpursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serum was alsocollected for Groups 1 through 5 on days 36 and 43. Data from theexperiment is shown in the following Table 34:

TABLE 34 Average HBsAg normalized to pre-treatment and PBS control in XRegion Knockout mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 13 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 1 1.000 ± 0.186 1.000 ± 0.165 1.000 ± 0.132 2 0.061 ± 0.034 0.041± 0.035 0.030 ± 0.015 3 0.020 ± 0.011 0.007 ± 0.003 0.003 ± 0.002 40.063 ± 0.039 0.022 ± 0.011 0.029 ± 0.013 5 0.027 ± 0.014 0.003 ± 0.0030.001 ± 0.001 6 0.948 1.360 1.652 Day 29 Day 36 Day 43 1 1.000 ± 0.0591.000 ± 0.044 1.000 ± 0.045 2 0.051 ± 0.029 0.062 ± 0.029 3 0.004 ±0.003 0.008 ± 0.003 0.018 ± 0.007 4 0.040 ± 0.022 0.061 ± 0.030 5 0.002± 0.001 0.003 ± 0.002 0.014 ± 0.006 6 1.831

As expected, Group 6, which was a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg of HBV RNAiagent AD04963 and includes an antisense strand that is at leastpartially complementary to the X open reading frame at positions1781-1799 of the HBV genome, was unable to provide knockdown of HBsAg.Additionally, each of Groups 2 through 5 provided substantial knockdownof HBsAg compared to PBS control, with both Group 3 and Group 5exhibiting a greater than 2 log reduction in HBsAg at nadir (day 22).

Example 14. Dose Response and Combinations of HBV RNAi Agents in XRegion Knockout Model Mice

The X Region Knockout mouse model described in Example 13, above, wasused. Mice were divided into various groups including those set forth inTable 31, below, and each mouse was administered a single 200 μlsubcutaneous injection pursuant to the dosing regimen set forth in Table35:

TABLE 35 Dosing groups of X Region Knockout mice for Example 14. GroupRNAi Agent and Dose Dosing Regimen 1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Singleinjection on day 1 2 2.0 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 3 2.0mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 0.7 mg/kg AD05070 4 2.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05070 5 2.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 2.0 mg/kg AD05070

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 35. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group shown in Table 35 were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day 1 (pre-dose), day 8, day 15, day 22, and day29, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determinedpursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data from theexperiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 36 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in X Region Knockout mice from Example 14. Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 Day 29 1 1.000 ± 0.120 1.000 ± 0.255 1.000 ± 0.224 1.000 ± 0.1432 0.104 ± 0.104 0.009 ± 0.009 0.005 ± 0.004 0.005 ± 0.003 3 0.076 ±0.041 0.010 ± 0.009 0.006 ± 0.005 0.005 ± 0.005 4 0.036 ± 0.008 0.002 ±0.001 0.001 ± 0.001 0.002 ± 0.001 5 0.019 ± 0.017 0.003 ± 0.002 0.003 ±0.001 0.004 ± 0.000

Table 36 shows that HBV RNAi agent AD04872 administered alone, and thecombination of AD04872 (which includes an antisense strand that is atleast partially complementary to the S open reading from at positions261-279 of the HBV genome) and AD05070 (which includes an antisensestrand that is at least partially complementary to the X open readingframe at positions 1781-1799 of the HBV genome), provided significantknockdown of HBsAg compared to PBS control across each of the timepoints measured. Addition of 0.7 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg HBV RNAi agent AD05070for which there was a mutated target site in this X Region Knockoutmodel did not diminish the activity of the 2 mg/kg HBV RNAi agentAD04872.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined from serum samplescollected on days 8, 15, and 22 pursuant to the procedure set forth inExample 2, above. Serum from each group was pooled and then DNA wasisolated from the serum in singlet. Data are presented in the followingTable:

TABLE 37 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS controls in X Region Knockout mice following administration of HBVRNAi agents from Example 14 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)).Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 1 1.000 ± 0.007 1.000 ± 0.011 1.000 ± 0.066 20.225 ± 0.019 0.022 ± 0.001 0.036 ± 0.001 3 0.151 ± 0.002 0.029 ± 0.0010.042 ± 0.003 4 0.140 ± 0.006 0.016 ± 0.000 0.018 ± 0.000 5 0.069 ±0.002 0.018 ± 0.003 0.043 ± 0.002

Addition of 0.7 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg HBV RNAi agent AD05070 for which therewas a mutated target site in this X Region Knockout model did notdiminish the activity of the 2 mg/kg HBV RNAi agent AD04872.

Example 15. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups including those set forth in Table 38,below, and each mouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneousinjection pursuant to the dosing regimen set forth in Table 38:

TABLE 38 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 15. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen 1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 22.0 mg/kg AD04776 Single injection on day 1 3 2.0 mg/kg AD05069 Singleinjection on day 1 4 2.0 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection on day 1 5 2.0mg/kg AD05071 Single injection on day 1 6 2.0 mg/kg AD05073 Singleinjection on day 1 7 2.0 mg/kg AD05074 Single injection on day 1 8 2.0mg/kg AD05075 Single injection on day 1 9 2.0 mg/kg AD05076 Singleinjection on day 1 10 2.0 mg/kg AD05077 Single injection on day 1 11 2.0mg/kg AD05078 Single injection on day 1 12 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04776 13 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05069 14 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05070 15 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05071 16 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05073 17 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05074 18 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05075 19 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05076 20 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05077 21 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05078

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 38. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected on day −1 prior to administration, and then on day8, day 15, day 22, day 29, day 36, day 43, and day 50. Serum Hepatitis Bsurface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant to the procedureset forth in Example 2, above. Data from the experiment is shown in thefollowing Table 39, with Average HBsAg reflecting the normalized averagevalue of HBsAg:

TABLE 39 Average HBsAg normalized to pre-treatment and PBS control inpHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 15.Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 1 1.000 ± 0.119 1.000 ± 0.047 1.000 ±0.080 1.000 ± 0.027 2 0.339 ± 0.076 0.414 ± 0.126 0.385 ± 0.067 0.450 ±0.075 3 0.240 ± 0.096 0.361 ± 0.078 0.446 ± 0.073 0.508 ± 0.114 4 0.081± 0.026 0.127 ± 0.031 0.223 ± 0.057 0.330 ± 0.112 5 0.452 ± 0.020 0.431± 0.126 0.373 ± 0.079 0.383 ± 0.080 6 0.375 ± 0.181 0.632 ± 0.192 0.463± 0.117 0.567 ± 0.159 7 0.325 ± 0.032 0.438 ± 0.125 0.393 ± 0.056 0.443± 0.096 8 0.155 ± 0.031 0.322 ± 0.019 0.333 ± 0.077 0.463 ± 0.043 90.245 ± 0.063 0.467 ± 0.090 0.477 ± 0.045 0.562 ± 0.049 10 0.120 ± 0.0620.173 ± 0.029 0.289 ± 0.019 0.331 ± 0.042 11 0.128 ± 0.042 0.172 ± 0.0460.179 ± 0.015 0.215 ± 0.049 12 0.040 ± 0.015 0.014 ± 0.004 0.014 ± 0.0060.015 ± 0.004 13 0.050 ± 0.020 0.015 ± 0.011 0.017 ± 0.008 0.022 ± 0.00914 0.020 ± 0.011 0.011 ± 0.006 0.015 ± 0.006 0.023 ± 0.004 15 0.043 ±0.005 0.013 ± 0.005 0.010 ± 0.002 0.011 ± 0.004 16 0.021 ± 0.017 0.008 ±0.004 0.012 ± 0.003 0.011 ± 0.001 17 0.032 ± 0.011 0.009 ± 0.003 0.007 ±0.002 0.008 ± 0.0003 18 0.023 ± 0.014 0.010 ± 0.006 0.009 ± 0.006 0.009± 0.004 19 0.025 ± 0.006 0.010 ± 0.004 0.009 ± 0.002 0.010 ± 0.003 200.061 ± 0.013 0.027 ± 0.006 0.020 ± 0.003 0.029 ± 0.006 21 0.061 ± 0.0500.013 ± 0.010 0.012 ± 0.005 0.018 ± 0.006 Group Day 36 Day 43 Day 50  11.000 ± 0.031 1.000 ± 0.114 1.000 ± 0.112  2 0.617 ± 0.116 0.643 ± 0.1540.665 ± 0.199  3 0.638 ± 0.067 0.743 ± 0.015 0.792 ± 0.115  4 0.472 ±0.121 0.515 ± 0.126 0.689 ± 0.167  5 0.591 ± 0.159 0.604 ± 0.086 0.709 ±0.115  6 0.717 ± 0.136 0.686 ± 0.194 0.781 ± 0.301  7 0.586 ± 0.0690.775 ± 0.143 0.747 ± 0.095  8 0.666 ± 0.066 0.803 ± 0.096 0.856 ± 0.180 9 0.801 ± 0.047 0.667 ± 0.055 0.765 ± 0.208 10 0.640 ± 0.059 0.667 ±0.034 0.742 ± 0.133 11 0.429 ± 0.063 0.383 ± 0.005 0.497 ± 0.060 120.037 ± 0.013 0.044 ± 0.012 0.056 ± 0.014 13 0.046 ± 0.011 0.055 ± 0.0100.070 ± 0.010 14 0.054 ± 0.016 0.070 ± 0.018 0.096 ± 0.012 15 0.029 ±0.011 0.032 ± 0.015 0.051 ± 0.020 16 0.033 ± 0.005 0.038 ± 0.007 0.062 ±0.004 17 0.021 ± 0.002 0.031 ± 0.004 0.061 ± 0.005 18 0.034 ± 0.0140.047 ± 0.016 0.079 ± 0.017 19 0.028 ± 0.005 0.037 ± 0.006 0.060 ± 0.01120 0.070 ± 0.009 0.063 ± 0.018 0.097 ± 0.018 21 0.040 ± 0.012 0.066 ±0.007 0.120 ± 0.036

RNAi agents AD04776, AD05069, AD05070, AD05071, AD05073, and AD05074were each designed to have an antisense strand sequence that is at leastpartially complementary to the X open reading frame at positions1781-1799 of the HBV genome, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. RNAi agentsAD05075, AD05076, AD05077, and AD05078 were each designed to haveantisense strand sequences that are at least partially complementary tothe X open reading frame at positions 1780-1798 of the HBV genome, asshown in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 39 shows that HBV RNAi agents AD04776, AD05069, AD05070, AD05071,AD05073, and AD05074 administered alone or their combination withAD04872 (which includes an antisense strand that is at least partiallycomplementary to the S open reading from at positions 261-279 of the HBVgenome) provided significant knockdown of HBsAg compared to PBS controlacross each of the time points measured.

Example 16. HBV RNAi Agents in pHBV Mice: Dose Response and CombinationStudies

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 40, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 40:

TABLE 40 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 16. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen 1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 23.2 mg/kg AD04872 Single injection on day 1 3 3.2 mg/kg AD04872 Singleinjection on day 1 and day 22 4 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection onday 1 0.8 mg/kg AD05070 5 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1and day 22 0.8 mg/kg AD05070 6 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection onday 1 1.0 mg/kg AD05070 7 3.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1and day 22 1.0 mg/kg AD05070 8 2.7 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection onday 1 1.3 mg/kg AD05070 9 2.7 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1and day 22 1.3 mg/kg AD05070 10 2.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection onday 1 and day 22 2.0 mg/kg AD04776 11 0.8 mg/kg AD05070 Single injectionon day 1 and day 22 12 1.3 mg/kg AD05070 Single injection on day 1 andday 22

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 40. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Six (6) mice ineach group were tested (n=6).

Serum was collected prior to administration, and then on day 8, day 15,day 22, and day 29, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levelswere determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above.Data from the experiment is shown in the following Table 41:

TABLE 41 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 16 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15Day 22 Day 29 1 1.000 ± 0.117 1.000 ± 0.213 1.000 ± 0.169 1.000 ± 0.1302 0.050 ± 0.018 0.015 ± 0.007 0.011 ± 0.005 0.009 ± 0.006 3 0.051 ±0.037 0.014 ± 0.011 0.010 ± 0.006 0.002 ± 0.001 4 0.029 ± 0.018 0.010 ±0.006 0.011 ± 0.006 0.010 ± 0.005 5 0.022 ± 0.003 0.007 ± 0.001 0.009 ±0.003 0.001 ± 0.001 6 0.027 ± 0.012 0.007 ± 0.004 0.008 ± 0.005 0.011 ±0.005 7 0.028 ± 0.012 0.010 ± 0.005 0.009 ± 0.005 0.001 ± 0.000 8 0.033± 0.016 0.016 ± 0.008 0.020 ± 0.009 0.021 ± 0.011 9 0.034 ± 0.025 0.015± 0.011 0.018 ± 0.013 0.003 ± 0.002 10 0.038 ± 0.021 0.015 ± 0.005 0.019± 0.004 0.003 ± 0.001 11 0.446 ± 0.143 0.376 ± 0.120 0.474 ± 0.149 0.338± 0.123 12 0.307 ± 0.111 0.257 ± 0.122 0.236 ± 0.057 0.138 ± 0.031

The HBV RNAi agents tested, both individually and in combination, showeda reduction in HBsAg as compared to the PBS control across all measuredtime points. HBsAg expression was further reduced in all groups thatwere re-dosed on day 22.

Additionally, Serum Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) levels were alsoassessed. For the day 8 measurement, the serum samples for all six micein each group were pooled, and the resulting samples were assayed insinglet. For the day −1, day 15, day 22, and day 29 measurements, thesix mice from each group were paired within each group and theirrespective serum samples were pooled, forming three subgroups for eachgroup. The serum samples for each of the three subgroups for each groupwere then assayed. Data from the experiment is shown in the followingTable 42:

TABLE 42 Average HBeAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 16 (standard deviation for days 15, 22, and 29 reflected as(+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 1 1.000 1.000 ± 0.011 1.000 ±0.170 1.000 ± 0.173 2 0.510 0.308 ± 0.031 0.217 ± 0.021 0.226 ± 0.035 30.488 0.301 ± 0.065 0.283 ± 0.081 0.147 ± 0.030 4 0.213 0.216 ± 0.0670.192 ± 0.029 0.141 ± 0.048 5 0.192 0.211 ± 0.053 0.216 ± 0.088 0.047 ±0.016 6 0.176 0.163 ± 0.022 0.238 ± 0.069 0.117 ± 0.011 7 0.165 0.175 ±0.046 0.215 ± 0.061 0.028 ± 0.012 8 0.128 0.166 ± 0.065 0.386 ± 0.2840.167 ± 0.118 9 0.172 0.171 ± 0.037 0.244 ± 0.052 0.032 ± 0.010 10 0.1800.211 ± 0.012 0.283 ± 0.034 0.034 ± 0.001 11 0.634 0.594 ± 0.082 0.840 ±0.152 0.271 ± 0.029 12 0.486 0.441 ± 0.066 0.804 ± 0.096 0.214 ± 0.039

The HBV RNAi agents tested, both individually and in combination, showeda reduction in HBeAg as compared to the saline control across allmeasured time points. HBeAg expression was further reduced in all groupsthat were re-dosed on day 22.

Further, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for each of the groups inTable 40 from serum samples collected on days −1, 8, 15, and 22,pursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Serum from eachpair of mice was pooled and then DNA was isolated from each serum poolin a single isolation. Data are presented in the following Table:

TABLE 43 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 16 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day15 Day 22 1 1.000 ± 0.122 1.000 ± 0.299 1.000 ± 0.241 2 0.312 ± 0.0160.126 ± 0.008 0.087 ± 0.018 3 0.264 ± 0.065 0.081 ± 0.023 0.073 ± 0.0284 0.321 ± 0.254 0.120 ± 0.066 0.134 ± 0.101 5 0.319 ± 0.081 0.108 ±0.038 0.098 ± 0.051 6 0.260 ± 0.095 0.068 ± 0.010 0.076 ± 0.031 7 0.170± 0.028 0.082 ± 0.013 0.062 ± 0.018 8 0.188 ± 0.020 0.192 ± 0.160 0.307± 0.309 9 0.242 ± 0.003 0.100 ± 0.042 0.075 ± 0.028 10 0.322 ± 0.0280.159 ± 0.025 0.086 ± 0.016 11 1.124 ± 0.142 0.742 ± 0.127 0.807 ± 0.19212 1.004 ± 0.144 0.541 ± 0.340 0.569 ± 0.060

The HBV RNAi agents tested, both individually and in combination, showeda reduction in serum HBV DNA as compared to the saline control acrossall measured time points except in groups 11 and 12 that had noreduction in serum HBV DNA at Day 8.

Example 17. HBV RNAi Agents in in pHBV Mice

The pHBV mouse model described in Example 2, above, was used. Mice weredivided into various groups as set forth in Table 44, below, and eachmouse was administered a single 200 μl subcutaneous injection pursuantto the dosing regimen set forth in Table 44:

TABLE 44 Dosing groups of pHBV mice for Example 17. Group RNAi Agent andDose Dosing Regimen 1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 2 5mg/kg AD04585 + Single injection on day 1 1 mg/kg AD04963 3 5 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1 mg/kg AD04963 4 5 mg/kg AD04585 +Single injection on day 1 and day 8 1 mg/kg AD04963 5 5 mg/kg AD04872 +Single injection on day 1 and day 8 1 mg/kg AD04963 6 2.5 mg/kgAD04585 + Single injection on day 1 0.5 mg/kg AD04963 7 2.0 mg/kgAD04585 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04963 8 2.5 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 0.5 mg/kg AD04963 9 2.0 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1.0 mg/kg AD04963 10 5 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1 mg/kg AD04981 11 2.5 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 and day 8 0.5 mg/kg AD04981 12 2.5mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 0.5 mg/kg AD04981 13 2 mg/kgAD04872 + Single injection on day 1 1 mg/kg AD04981 14 2.5 mg/kgAD04585 + Single injection on day 1 0.5 mg/kg AD04981 15 2 mg/kgAD04585 + Single injection on day 1 1 mg/kg AD04981 16 0.5 mg/kg AD04981Single injection on day 1

Each mouse was given a subcutaneous administration of 200 μl containingthe amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulated in phosphate buffered saline,or 200 μl of phosphate buffered saline without an HBV RNAi agent, as setforth in Table 44. Each of the HBV RNAi agents includedN-acetyl-galactosamine targeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminalend of the sense strand, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections wereperformed between the skin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections)into the loose skin over the neck and shoulder area. Three (3) mice ineach group were tested (n=3).

Serum was collected prior to administration, and then on day 8, day 14,day 21, and day 29 and day 36, and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) levels were determined pursuant to the procedure set forth inExample 2, above. Data from the experiment is shown in the followingTable 45:

TABLE 45 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment and PBScontrol in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agents fromExample 17 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day 14Day 21 Day 29 Day 36 1 1.000 ± 0.068 1.000 ± 0.125 1.000 ± 0.152 1.000 ±0.110 1.000 ± 0.225 2 0.058 ± 0.033 0.059 ± 0.022 0.085 ± 0.023 0.158 ±0.021 3 0.025 ± 0.009 0.014 ± 0.006 0.015 ± 0.008 0.026 ± 0.015 0.049 ±0.019 4 0.032 ± 0.007 0.005 ± 0.001 0.006 ± 0.002 0.014 ± 0.002 5 0.024± 0.009 0.003 ± 0.001  0.001 ± 0.0004  0.001 ± 0.0005  0.004 ± 0.0004 60.063 ± 0.020 0.077 ± 0.013 0.131 ± 0.011 0.214 ± 0.026 7 0.041 ± 0.0180.059 ± 0.017 0.091 ± 0.016 0.140 ± 0.045 8 0.070 ± 0.008 0.046 ± 0.0160.043 ± 0.009 0.055 ± 0.012 0.081 ± 0.010 9 0.043 ± 0.006 0.027 ± 0.0030.064 ± 0.017 0.064 ± 0.014 0.108 ± 0.026 10 0.015 ± 0.008 0.005 ± 0.0030.005 ± 0.003 0.005 ± 0.003 0.009 ± 0.004 11 0.047 ± 0.014 0.005 ± 0.0030.003 ± 0.002 0.003 ± 0.003 0.005 ± 0.003 12 0.062 ± 0.006 0.025 ± 0.0070.027 ± 0.005 0.033 ± 0.005 0.060 ± 0.014 13 0.092 ± 0.029 0.050 ± 0.0210.050 ± 0.022  0.054 ± 0.0019 0.094 ± 0.027 14 0.310 ± 0.180 0.056 ±0.010 0.081 ± 0.010  0.112 ± 0.0018 15 0.304 ± 0.044 0.083 ± 0.021 0.115± 0.013 0.165 ± 0.025 16 1.667 ± 0.217 0.416 ± 0.163 0.341 ± 0.179 0.511 ± 0.0011 0.634 ± 0.005

The HBV RNAi agent combinations tested showed a reduction in HBsAg ascompared to the saline control across all measured time points.Combinations containing AD04872 showed greater reductions than theequivalent combinations with AD04585 in place of AD04872.

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined for serum samplescollected on days 8, 14, 21, and 29 pursuant to the procedure set forthin Example 2, above. Serum HBV DNA was isolated from each animal at eachtime point. Data are presented in the following Table 46:

TABLE 46 Average Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to pre-treatment andPBS control in pHBV mice following administration of HBV RNAi agentsfrom Example 17 (standard deviation reflected as (+/−)). Group Day 8 Day14 Day 21 Day 29 1 1.000 ± 0.280 1.000 ± 0.269 1.000 ± 0.418 1.000 ±0.383 2 0.136 ± 0.068 0.192 ± 0.071 0.173 ± 0.032 0.292 ± 0.039 3 0.097± 0.034 0.068 ± 0.016 0.076 ± 0.034 0.131 ± 0.061 4 0.061 ± 0.039 0.002± 0.001 0.003 ± 0.001 0.019 ± 0.013 5 0.068 ± 0.025 0.003 ± 0.002 0.0009± 0.0003 0.0009 ± 0.0003 6 0.354 ± 0.299 0.345 ± 0.187 0.522 ± 0.2340.509 ± 0.106 7 0.103 ± 0.064 0.291 ± 0.025 0.203 ± 0.043 0.203 ± 0.0158 0.336 ± 0.142 0.185 ± 0.071 0.183 ± 0.065 0.162 ± 0.064 9 0.198 ±0.055 0.093 ± 0.023 0.118 ± 0.054 0.143 ± 0.032 10 0.122 ± 0.071 0.024 ±0.026 0.023 ± 0.020 0.014 ± 0.017 11 0.160 ± 0.069 0.016 ± 0.023 0.003 ±0.001 0.005 ± 0.004 12 0.158 ± 0.039 0.120 ± 0.044 0.100 ± 0.049 0.091 ±0.034 13 0.190 ± 0.038 0.169 ± 0.025 0.066 ± 0.015 0.081 ± 0.015 140.434 ± 0.136 0.318 ± 0.104 0.144 ± 0.094 0.240 ± 0.029 15 0.358 ± 0.1850.287 ± 0.108 0.279 ± 0.080 0.303 ± 0.038 16 0.713 ± 0.085 0.674 ± 0.1400.496 ± 0.128 0.590 ± 0.093

The HBV RNAi agent combinations tested showed a reduction in serum HBVDNA as compared to the saline control across all measured time points.Combinations containing AD04872 showed greater reductions than theequivalent combinations with AD04585 in place of AD04872. These greaterreductions were observed at Day 22 and Day 29.

Example 18. HBV RNAi Agents in a HBV-Infected Humanized Mouse Model

For this study, Male FRG® (genotype Fah −/−/Rag2−/−/Il2rg −/− tripleknockout mice on a C57BL/6 background (Yecuris) were transplanted withhuman hepatocytes when they were 1-2 months old. The human hepatocyteswere allowed to repopulate the liver for approximately 6 months withperiodic NTBC treatment to discourage growth of mouse hepatocytes. At 9months of age the mice were given an intravenous inoculation of 4×10⁸genomes/kg HBV genotype C, which infected the human hepatocytes. After2-3 months, serum HBV DNA levels reached a plateau indicating the humanhepatocytes were maximally infected (mouse hepatocytes cannot beinfected by HBV). Mice were one year old at the start of treatment withHBV RNAi agents, thus nearing the end of their life span.

Pre-treatment serum samples were taken on day −10 and day −3. Beginningon day 1, each mouse was administered an oral daily gavage with 0.01mg/kg Entecavir dissolved in water to inhibit HBV replication. Dailydosing of Entecavir continued until the day mice were euthanized.Entecavir administration was expected to reduce serum HBV DNA inchronically infected human patients, but not reduce HBsAg.

Mice were divided into various groups including those set forth in Table47, below:

TABLE 47 Dosing groups of HBV-infected FRG humanized model mice forExample 18. Group RNAi Agent and Dose Dosing Regimen Terminal Day A-mouse 1 PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection on day 1 Euthanized day 21(unhealthy animal) A- mouse 2 PBS (no RNAi agent) Single injection onday 1 Euthanized day 36 and day 29 B- mouse 1 4.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 Euthanized day 36 2.0 mg/kg AD05070 and day 29 B-mouse 2 4.0 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 Euthanized day 402.0 mg/kg AD05070 and day 29 C- mouse 1 4.5 mg/kg AD04872 + Singleinjection on day 1 Euthanized day 15 1.5 mg/kg AD05070 C- mouse 2 4.5mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection on day 1 Euthanized day 36 1.5 mg/kgAD05070 and day 29 C- mouse 3 4.5 mg/kg AD04872 + Single injection onday 1 Euthanized day 40 1.5 mg/kg AD05070 and day 29

Each mouse was also given a subcutaneous administration of 100 μl per 20grams body weight containing the amount of HBV RNAi agent(s) formulatedin phosphate buffered saline, or an equal volume of phosphate bufferedsaline without an HBV RNAi agent, on day 1 and on day 29 (if still aliveon day 29), pursuant to the schedule as set forth in Table 47, directlyabove. Each of the HBV RNAi agents included N-acetyl-galactosaminetargeting ligands conjugated to the 5′-terminal end of the sense strand,as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The injections were performed between theskin and muscle (i.e. subcutaneous injections) into the loose skin overthe neck and shoulder area.

Serum was collected on day 8, day 15, day 22, day 29, day 36, and day 40and serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were determinedpursuant to the procedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data from theexperiment is shown in the following Table:

TABLE 48 Average HBsAg levels normalized to pre-treatment (day −3) foreach individual HBV-infected humanized FRG model mouse from Example 18.Group Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 Day 40 A-1 0.830 0.828 0.9320.858 1.107 A-2 1.303 1.328 B-1 0.548 0.314 0.272 0.207 0.138 B-2 0.5920.337 0.243 0.215 0.160 0.175 C-1 0.643 0.460 0.415 0.251 0.164 C-20.353 0.228 0.182 0.172 0.224 0.216 C-3 0.814 0.674

Additionally, serum HBV DNA levels were determined from serum samplescollected on days −10, −3, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 40, pursuant to theprocedure set forth in Example 2, above. Data are presented in thefollowing Table 49:

TABLE 49 Serum HBV DNA levels normalized to the average of pre-treatmentday −10 and day −3 for each HBV-infected FRG humanized mouse followingadministration of HBV RNAi agents from Example 14. Group Day −10 Day −3Day 8 Day 15 Day 22 Day 29 Day 36 Day 40 A-1 0.883 1.117 0.072 0.0380.015 0.027 0.060 A-2 1.070 0.930 0.130 0.075 B-1 1.538 0.462 0.0320.017 0.011 0.006 0.010 B-2 1.350 0.650 0.042 0.018 0.012 0.007 0.0080.007 C-1 1.348 0.652 0.041 0.020 0.016 0.005 0.004 C-2 1.030 0.9700.031 0.015 0.006 0.011 0.008 0.008

As expected, administration of Entecavir reduced viral replication inboth the absence and presence of HBV RNAi agents.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Otheraspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising an RNAi agent forinhibiting expression of a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) gene, wherein theRNAi agent comprises: an antisense strand comprising a nucleotidesequence of any one of the following: SEQ ID NO:100, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID NO:171, SEQ ID NO:179, and SEQ IDNO:180, and a sense strand comprising a nucleotide sequence of any oneof the following: SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID NO:252, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ IDNO:273, SEQ ID NO:302, and SEQ ID NO:319.
 2. The composition of claim 1,wherein at least one nucleotide of the sense strand, the antisensestrand, or both the sense strand and the antisense strand of the RNAiagent is a modified nucleotide, has a modified internucleoside linkage,or is both a modified nucleotide and has a modified internucleosidelinkage.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein all or substantially allof the nucleotides in both the sense strand and the antisense strand ofthe RNAi agent are modified nucleotides.
 4. The composition of claim 1,wherein the RNAi agent further comprises a targeting ligand that isconjugated to the RNAi agent.
 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein thetargeting ligand comprises N-acetyl-galactosamine.
 6. The composition ofclaim 5, wherein the targeting ligand is (NAG13), (NAG13)s, (NAG18),(NAG18)s, (NAG24), (NAG24)s, (NAG25), (NAG25)s, (NAG26), (NAG26)s,(NAG27), (NAG27)s, (NAG28), (NAG28)s, (NAG29), (NAG29)s, (NAG30),(NAG30)s, (NAG31), (NAG31)s, (NAG32), (NAG32)s, (NAG33), (NAG33)s,(NAG34), (NAG34)s, (NAG35), (NAG35)s, (NAG36), (NAG36)s, (NAG37),(NAG37)s, (NAG38), (NAG38)s, (NAG39), or (NAG39)s.
 7. The composition ofclaim 6, wherein the targeting ligand is (NAG25), (NAG25)s, (NAG31),(NAG31)s, (NAG37), or (NAG37)s.
 8. The composition of claim 5, whereinthe targeting ligand is conjugated to the sense strand of the RNAiagent.
 9. The composition of claim 6, wherein the targeting ligand isconjugated to the sense strand of the RNAi agent.
 10. The composition ofclaim 8, wherein the targeting ligand is conjugated to the 5′ terminalend of the sense strand of the RNAi agent.
 11. The composition of claim7, wherein the targeting ligand is conjugated to the 5′ terminal end ofthe sense strand of the RNAi agent.
 12. The composition of claim 1,further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the RNAi agent is conjugated to atargeting ligand that includes N-acetyl-galactosamine and has the duplexstructure of AD04511 (SEQ ID NO:100 and SEQ ID NO:229), AD04872 (SEQ IDNO:126 and SEQ ID NO:252), AD04873 (SEQ ID NO:127 and SEQ ID NO:252),AD04874 (SEQ ID NO:128 and SEQ ID NO:253), or AD05164 (SEQ ID NO:126 andSEQ ID NO:273).
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositioncomprises: (a) a first RNAi agent comprising: an antisense strandcomprising a nucleotide sequence of any one of the following: SEQ IDNO:100, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID NO:171, SEQID NO:179, and SEQ ID NO:180, and a sense strand comprising a nucleotidesequence of any one of the following: SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID NO:252, SEQID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO:302, and SEQ ID NO:319; and (b) asecond RNAi agent comprising: an antisense strand comprising anucleotide sequence of any one of the following: SEQ ID NO:140 and SEQID NO:188, and a sense strand comprising a nucleotide sequence of anyone of the following: SEQ ID NO:262, SEQ ID NO:271, SEQ ID NO:274, andSEQ ID NO:328.
 15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the first RNAiagent and the second RNAi agent are each independently conjugated to atargeting ligand that includes N-acetyl-galactosamine, and the firstRNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO:126 and SEQ IDNO:252) and the second RNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD05070(SEQ ID NO:140 and SEQ ID NO:262).
 16. The composition of claim 14,wherein the composition further comprises one or more additionaltherapeutics.
 17. The composition of claim 15, wherein the ratio of thefirst RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex(AD05070) in the composition is between about 1:2 to about 5:1.
 18. Thecomposition of claim 17, wherein the ratio of the first RNAi agentduplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex (AD05070) in thecomposition is about 2:1.
 19. The composition of claim 17, wherein theratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agentduplex (AD05070) in the composition is about 3:1.
 20. The composition ofclaim 17, wherein the ratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) tothe second RNAi agent duplex (AD05070) in the composition is about 4:1.21. A method for inhibiting expression of a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) genein a subject that has an HBV infection, the method comprisingadministering to the subject an effective amount of the composition ofclaim 1 to inhibit an HBV gene.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinadministering the composition further treats a disease, disorder, orcondition associated with the HBV infection in the subject.
 23. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the composition comprises a first RNAi agentand a second RNAi agent, wherein the first RNAi agent and the secondRNAi agent are each independently conjugated to a targeting ligand thatincludes N-acetyl-galactosamine, and the first RNAi agent has the duplexstructure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO:126 and SEQ ID NO:252) and the secondRNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD05070 (SEQ ID NO:140 and SEQ IDNO:262).
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein administering thecomposition further treats a disease, disorder, or condition associatedwith the HBV infection in the subject.
 25. The method of claim 23,wherein the effective amount of the composition is sufficient to reducethe level of HBsAg, HBeAg, and/or serum HBV DNA, in a subject by atleast about 40% relative to the subject's respective expression levelprior to administration of the composition.
 26. The method of claim 24,wherein the disease, disorder, or condition associated with the HBVinfection is a chronic liver disease or disorder, liver inflammation, afibrotic condition, a proliferative disorder, hepatocellular carcinoma,a Hepatitis D virus infection, or an acute HBV infection.
 27. The methodof claim 23, wherein the effective amount of the first RNAi agent duplexis between about 0.5 mg/kg and about 5 mg/kg, and the effective amountof the second RNAi agent duplex is between about 0.5 mg/kg and about 5mg/kg.
 28. An RNAi agent for inhibiting expression of a Hepatitis BVirus (HBV) gene, wherein the RNAi agent has a duplex structurecomprising a sense strand and an antisense strand that is identical orsubstantially identical to the respective sense strand and antisensestrand in a duplex structure selected from the group consisting of:AD04511 (SEQ ID NO:100 and SEQ ID NO:229), AD04872 (SEQ ID NO:126 andSEQ ID NO:252), AD04873 (SEQ ID NO:127 and SEQ ID NO:252), AD04874 (SEQID NO:128 and SEQ ID NO:253), and AD05164 (SEQ ID NO:126 and SEQ IDNO:273).
 29. The RNAi agent of claim 28, wherein the RNAi agentcomprises at least one overhang.
 30. The RNAi agent of claim 29, whereinthe RNAi agent comprises an overhang at the 3′ end of the antisensestrand.
 31. The RNAi agent of claim 30, wherein the RNAi agent furthercomprises an overhang at the 3′ end of the sense strand.
 32. The RNAiagent of claim 28, wherein the RNAi agent comprises one or two bluntends.
 33. The RNAi agent of claim 28, wherein the RNAi agent comprisesone or two frayed ends.
 34. The RNAi agent of claim 28, wherein thesense strand comprises at least one inverted abasic nucleoside.
 35. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the effective amount of the composition issubcutaneously or intravenously administered.
 36. The method of claim21, further comprising administering to the subject one or moreadditional therapeutics.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the one ormore additional therapeutics comprises an antiviral agent.
 38. Themethod of claim 36, wherein the one or more additional therapeuticscomprises lamivudine, tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovirdisoproxil, or entecavir.
 39. The method of claim 23, wherein theeffective amount of the composition is subcutaneously or intravenouslyadministered.
 40. The method of claim 23, further comprisingadministering to the subject one or more additional therapeutics. 41.The method of claim 40, wherein the one or more additional therapeuticscomprises an antiviral agent.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein theone or more additional therapeutics comprises lamivudine, tenofovir,tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil, or entecavir.
 43. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is a chronic liver disease ordisorder.
 44. The method of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, orcondition associated with the HBV infection is liver inflammation. 45.The method of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is a fibrotic condition.
 46. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is a proliferative disorder.
 47. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is hepatocellular carcinoma.
 48. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is a Hepatitis D virus infection. 49.The method of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is an acute HBV infection.
 50. Thecomposition of claim 1, comprising a first RNAi agent and a second RNAiagent, wherein the first RNAi agent and the second RNAi agent are eachindependently conjugated to a targeting ligand that includesN-acetyl-galactosamine, and wherein the first RNAi agent has the duplexstructure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQ ID NO:252), and wherein thesecond RNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD04776 (SEQ ID NO: 102and SEQ ID NO: 248).
 51. The composition of claim 50, wherein the ratioof the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex(AD04776) in the composition is between about 1:2 to about 5:1.
 52. Thecomposition of claim 50, wherein the ratio of the first RNAi agentduplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex (AD04776) in thecomposition is about 2:1.
 53. The composition of claim 50, wherein theratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agentduplex (AD04776) in the composition is about 3:1.
 54. The composition ofclaim 50, wherein the ratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) tothe second RNAi agent duplex (AD04776) in the composition is about 4:1.55. The composition of claim 1, comprising a first RNAi agent and asecond RNAi agent, wherein the first RNAi agent and the second RNAiagent are each independently conjugated to a targeting ligand thatincludes N-acetyl-galactosamine, and wherein the first RNAi agent hasthe duplex structure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQ ID NO:252), andwherein the second RNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD04982 (SEQID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 248).
 56. The composition of claim 55, whereinthe ratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAiagent duplex (AD04982) in the composition is between about 1:2 to about5:1.
 57. The composition of claim 55, wherein the ratio of the firstRNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex (AD04982) inthe composition is about 2:1.
 58. The composition of claim 55, whereinthe ratio of the first RNAi agent duplex (AD04872) to the second RNAiagent duplex (AD04982) in the composition is about 3:1.
 59. Thecomposition of claim 55, wherein the ratio of the first RNAi agentduplex (AD04872) to the second RNAi agent duplex (AD04982) in thecomposition is about 4:1.
 60. The method of claim 21, wherein thecomposition comprises a first RNAi agent and a second RNAi agent,wherein the first RNAi agent and the second RNAi agent are eachindependently conjugated to a targeting ligand that includesN-acetyl-galactosamine, and wherein the first RNAi agent has the duplexstructure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO: 126 and SEQ ID NO: 252), and whereinthe second RNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD04776 (SEQ ID NO:102 and SEQ ID NO: 248).
 61. The method of claim 60, wherein theeffective amount of the composition is sufficient to reduce the level ofHBsAg, HBeAg, and/or serum HBV DNA, in a subject by at least about 40%relative to the subject's respective expression level prior toadministration of the composition.
 62. The method of claim 60, whereinthe disease, disorder, or condition associated with the HBV infection isa chronic liver disease or disorder, liver inflammation, a fibroticcondition, a proliferative disorder, hepatocellular carcinoma, aHepatitis D virus infection, or an acute HBV infection.
 63. The methodof claim 60, wherein the effective amount of the first RNAi agent duplexis between about 0.5 mg/kg and about 5 mg/kg, and the effective amountof the second RNAi agent duplex is between about 0.5 mg/kg and about 5mg/kg.
 64. The method of claim 21, wherein the composition comprises afirst RNAi agent and a second RNAi agent, wherein the first RNAi agentand the second RNAi agent are each independently conjugated to atargeting ligand that includes N-acetyl-galactosamine, and wherein thefirst RNAi agent has the duplex structure of AD04872 (SEQ ID NO: 126 andSEQ ID NO:252), and wherein the second RNAi agent has the duplexstructure of AD04982 (SEQ ID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 248).
 65. The methodof claim 64, wherein the effective amount of the composition issufficient to reduce the level of HBsAg, HBeAg, and/or serum HBV DNA, ina subject by at least about 40% relative to the subject's respectiveexpression level prior to administration of the composition.
 66. Themethod of claim 64, wherein the disease, disorder, or conditionassociated with the HBV infection is a chronic liver disease ordisorder, liver inflammation, a fibrotic condition, a proliferativedisorder, hepatocellular carcinoma, a Hepatitis D virus infection, or anacute HBV infection.
 67. The method of claim 64, wherein the effectiveamount of the first RNAi agent duplex is between about 0.5 mg/kg andabout 5 mg/kg, and the effective amount of the second RNAi agent duplexis between about 0.5 mg/kg and about 5 mg/kg.